large amount of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"Large amount of time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant length of time when completing or attempting to complete an activity, such as: "I have spent a large amount of time trying to learn this language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also stopped taking drugs, which "left a large amount of time to be filled".

The Guardian

Staff spend a large amount of time preparing samples for external examiners.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A few minutes spread over a large amount of people adds up to a large amount of time," he said.

The New York Times - Health

Indeed, 13 months "is a large amount of time in the new economy; things happen fast," Mr. Galli said.

The New York Times

"I always have to look for a large amount of time when I can bury myself in it".

The New York Times

Green knows this, and he spent a large amount of time on set when TFIOS was being filmed.

The Guardian

They "spent a large amount of time brainstorming to iron out the kinks in the plan," Duplessie said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And many of us are investing a frustratingly large amount of time and money in that area.

Yale University

Consumers in the West need little persuading – we devote a large amount of time and money to holding back ageing.

Independent

"A large amount of time spent on the Web is performing actions that are anonymous," it explains.

The New York Times

However, constructing a network from data manually takes a considerable large amount of time, therefore an automated procedure is advocated.

Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific terms if the exact duration is known, such as "several hours", "many days", or "a few years".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "large amount of time" without providing context. To improve clarity, specify the type of activity consuming this time. Example: Instead of stating, "They used a large amount of time", be precise: "They used a large amount of time rehearsing the songs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large amount of time" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as an adverbial modifier to indicate the duration or extent of an action or state. It describes how long something takes or lasts. As Ludwig suggests, it is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

24%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "large amount of time" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe a significant duration. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and widespread use. While suitable for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general conversation, specifying the activity or process consuming the time is crucial for clarity. Alternatives like "considerable time" or "significant time" can be used, but providing precise time measurements is often preferable for more formal or technical writing. The Ludwig examples demonstrate the phrase's versatility across multiple domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable duration

Focuses on the length of the time period rather than the quantity.

significant time span

Highlights the importance or impact of the time period.

substantial period

Emphasizes the magnitude of the time interval.

extended timeframe

Implies the time period is longer than usual or expected.

protracted duration

Suggests the time period is excessively long or drawn out.

lengthy interval

Focuses on the extended nature of the break or gap.

appreciable period

Highlights that the duration is noticeable and worthy of consideration.

major portion of time

Emphasizes that the time represents a considerable segment of a larger timeframe.

extensive hours

Focuses specifically on a large number of hours.

vast stretch of time

Implies the time period is immense and seemingly endless.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "large amount of time"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "considerable time", "significant time", or "substantial period".

How can I make my writing more specific than just saying "large amount of time"?

Instead of "large amount of time", try to quantify the duration if possible. For example, instead of "It took a large amount of time", try "It took several weeks" or "It took approximately three months".

Is it ever incorrect to use "large amount of time"?

While grammatically correct, using "large amount of time" can be vague. It's better to use more precise language when possible to improve clarity.

What's the difference between "large amount of time" and "long time"?

"Large amount of time" emphasizes the quantity or extent of the time, while "long time" simply describes the duration as being longer than usual. The phrases are mostly interchangeable.