large amount of debris

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large amount of debris" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: After the hurricane, there was a large amount of debris scattered across the streets, making it difficult for emergency vehicles to access the affected areas.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The large amount of debris blocked two streams, the Satsikenghsi and the Chiutsaihuhsi, to form two landslide-dammed lakes.

Ecological Engineering

Over the next several days, we expect that to accelerate significantly, and by the weekend we should have a large amount of debris gathered.

The New York Times

The February 2008 shoot down of a military satellite by the United States created a large amount of debris, but, at an altitude of 150 miles, it fell out of orbit in two months' time.

The New York Times

The proposed probabilistic model provides an effective method for predicting the variation of debris trajectories in a three-dimensional (3D) space, which is imperative when performing regional building envelope impact risk assessments in which a large amount of debris sources and targets must be considered in the simulation.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

This method is not suitable for streams with large amount of debris, sediment or solids.

Applied Water Science

The strong backwash flows could transport seaward a large amount of debris eroded from shoreward areas.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In the aftermath, military radars on the ground tracked large amounts of debris going into higher and lower orbits.

The New York Times - Science

In the Southern Alps of New Zealand, landslides are dominant mechanisms of conveying large amounts of debris to river channels.

Geomorphology

Just before the press conference Pirelli had issued their own statement, in which they blamed external factors, particularly large amounts of debris, for the incidents in Spa.

The Guardian - Sport

This and the presence of large amounts of debris such as bits of paper, straw, feathers, pen nibs and the like provide ample evidence of long life and heavy use for these volumes.

Harvard University

The Buildings Department approved a permit for plumbing and partition changes on Aug. 10, but withdrew it 20 days later because there were large amounts of debris and no approved plans on site.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "large amount of debris", consider the context to ensure the noun "debris" is appropriate. For instance, in a construction site, "rubble" might be more suitable, while after a storm, "wreckage" could be more fitting.

Common error

Avoid using "large amount of debris" in contexts where the reference is not physical remnants or scattered pieces. Using it to describe abstract concepts like "information debris" can be confusing; opt for phrases like "information overload" or "data clutter" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large amount of debris" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a significant quantity of scattered remnants or waste materials. Ludwig AI confirms its validity with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "large amount of debris" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant quantity of scattered remnants or waste. Ludwig AI validates this with real-world examples from sources like The New York Times, BBC, and ScienceDirect. While generally neutral in register, its specific appropriateness depends on context. When using this phrase, consider the nature of the "debris" to ensure accuracy. Alternatives like "significant quantity of rubble" or "substantial volume of wreckage" might be more suitable in formal settings or when describing specific types of debris.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant quantity of rubble

Replaces "amount" with "quantity" and "debris" with "rubble", both implying a considerable mass of fragments.

substantial volume of wreckage

Substitutes "large" with "substantial", "amount" with "volume", and "debris" with "wreckage", emphasizing the extent of destroyed material.

considerable accumulation of waste material

Replaces "large amount" with "considerable accumulation" and "debris" with "waste material", highlighting the gathering of unwanted matter.

extensive collection of refuse

Uses "extensive collection" in place of "large amount" and "refuse" instead of "debris", referring to discarded items widely spread.

copious quantities of detritus

Replaces "large amount" with "copious quantities" and "debris" with "detritus", indicating an abundant supply of disintegrated matter.

vast aggregation of wreckage

Swaps "large amount" for "vast aggregation" and "debris" for "wreckage", indicating a widespread collection of destroyed remains.

huge stockpile of litter

Substitutes "large amount" with "huge stockpile" and "debris" with "litter", referring to a large accumulation of scattered rubbish.

appreciable heap of fragments

Replaces "large amount" with "appreciable heap" and "debris" with "fragments", emphasizing a noticeable pile of broken pieces.

massive scattering of remnants

Uses "massive scattering" instead of "large amount" and "remnants" rather than "debris", highlighting the broad distribution of leftover pieces.

significant build-up of clutter

Replaces "large amount" with "significant build-up" and "debris" with "clutter", indicating a noteworthy accumulation of disorganized items.

FAQs

How can I use "large amount of debris" in a sentence?

You can use "large amount of debris" to describe the aftermath of a destructive event, such as "The hurricane left a large amount of debris scattered across the town" or "After the demolition, there was a large amount of debris to clear away".

What's a more formal way to say "large amount of debris"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "significant quantity of rubble" or "substantial volume of wreckage", depending on the specific type of debris you're describing.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "large amount of debris"?

While grammatically correct, using "large amount of debris" might be inappropriate in contexts where you're referring to something abstract or non-physical. In such cases, alternatives like "significant build-up of clutter" could be more suitable.

What are some words that can replace "debris" in "large amount of debris"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "debris" with words like "rubble", "wreckage", "waste material", "detritus", or "litter" to provide a more precise description of the scattered remnants.