in their thousands

USAGE SUMMARY

"in their thousands" is correct and can be used in written English.
This expression is used to mean that something is happening on a large scale or in large numbers. For example, "People marched in their thousands to show their opposition to the new law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And this they did, in their thousands.

The Guardian - Books

They gathered in their thousands on the Embankment.

The Guardian

And frustrated Uzbeks have responded in their thousands.

BBC

The public nominated deserving Strictly super-fans in their thousands.

BBC

We are the people!" they yell in their thousands.

BBC

Teachers responded in their thousands.

The Guardian

The Maoists abduct people in their thousands.

The Economist

They did, in their thousands.

The Guardian - Film

They came in their thousands.

The Guardian

They'll sign up in their thousands.

The Guardian - Books

People have turned out in their thousands.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their thousands" to emphasize the significant scale of an event, response, or participation. For example, "The refugees arrived "in their thousands" following the conflict."

Common error

Avoid using "in their thousands" when referring to a singular entity or concept. It is meant to describe a multitude of items or people. For example, instead of saying "The problem grew "in their thousands"", consider "The problems grew exponentially."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their thousands" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the scale or extent of an action. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase adds emphasis to the magnitude of the event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in their thousands" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote a large quantity or number, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase, adding emphasis to the scale of an event or action. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for formal and informal communication. Alternatives include "by the thousands" and "thousands of people". When using "in their thousands", ensure it aligns with a plural noun to maintain grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by the thousands

This alternative uses 'by' instead of 'in', creating a slightly different nuance but maintaining the core meaning of a large quantity.

thousands of people

This alternative is a more explicit construction, specifying that it refers to a large number of people.

in great numbers

This alternative uses a more general term ('great numbers') to convey a large quantity, without specifying the exact scale.

in droves

This alternative implies a large group moving together, suggesting a sense of urgency or enthusiasm.

in large quantities

This alternative is more suitable when referring to tangible items or substances, rather than people.

a multitude of

This alternative uses a more formal and literary term to indicate a large number.

in abundance

This alternative suggests a plentiful supply or presence, implying more than just a large number.

countless individuals

This alternative highlights the individual aspect within a large group, emphasizing the sheer number of people involved.

a sea of faces

This alternative evokes a visual image of a large crowd, emphasizing the density and vastness of the gathering.

en masse

This alternative, borrowed from French, describes a group doing something all together at the same time.

FAQs

How can I use "in their thousands" in a sentence?

You can use "in their thousands" to describe something occurring on a large scale. For instance, "People protested "in their thousands" against the new policy".

What are some alternatives to saying "in their thousands"?

Alternatives include phrases like "by the thousands", "thousands of people", or "in great numbers", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "in their thousands" in formal writing?

Yes, "in their thousands" is suitable for formal writing, especially in news reports or descriptive contexts where emphasizing a large quantity is important.

Can "in their thousands" be used for objects or only people?

"In their thousands" can be used for both people and objects, as long as it logically describes a large quantity. For example, "Books were donated "in their thousands" to the library".