many dozens of

USAGE SUMMARY

"many dozens of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to convey a large quantity or number of something. Example: "We received many dozens of applications for the job opening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Salle has given many — dozens of — interviews.

The New Yorker

Amanda, there are many dozens of studies.

Harvard University

Bain Capital did many dozens of deals under Romney.

The New Yorker

Herr's lab is developing a way to assay many dozens of human proteins at a time.

University of California, Berkeley

Many dozens of defendants are convicted or take pleas in the face of similarly inconclusive evidence.

The New Yorker

You could easily get many dozens of people to come out for a cha-cha exercise.

The New York Times

Most lenders throw a couple of $20 bills into many dozens of these loans.

The New York Times

The renovation of Witanhurst alone has provided many dozens of people with work.

The New Yorker

Many dozens of column inches (or, I suppose, screen pixels) have been splurged on the matter.

The Guardian - Books

And, after many dozens of listens, it still moves and invigorates me.

The Guardian - Music

Among the many dozens of appearances last year were several standouts.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "many dozens of", ensure that the context clearly implies a relatively large but not overwhelming number. If the quantity is truly vast, consider using "hundreds" or "thousands" for greater accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "many dozens of" when the actual number is known and precise. For example, instead of saying "many dozens of students attended", state the actual number if it's available like "sixty students attended".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many dozens of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a valid and common expression used to indicate a substantial quantity without being overly precise. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "many dozens of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a significant quantity. As Ludwig AI explains, it serves to convey an approximate amount that is more than just a few dozens, yet not so large as to warrant terms like "hundreds". It's versatile, appearing across diverse contexts like news, academia, and general discussions, maintaining a neutral register. When writing, remember to use it when you want to imply a substantial number without being overly specific and avoid using it when a precise number is known. Related phrases include "numerous dozens of" and "several dozens of", offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous dozens of

Emphasizes the count of dozens rather than just 'many'.

dozens upon dozens of

Emphasizes the sheer number by repetition.

a good many dozens of

Adds a touch of emphasis to the quantity.

several dozens of

Indicates a smaller but still notable quantity.

plenty of dozens of

Suggests an ample or abundant quantity.

a large quantity of dozens

Focuses on the total quantity being substantial.

considerable number of dozens

More formal and emphasizes the amount's impact.

quite a few dozens of

More informal and expresses a noticeable quantity.

scores of

Uses 'scores' as a synonym for multiple dozens.

a multitude of dozens

Implies a very large and perhaps uncountable quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "many dozens of" in a sentence?

You can use "many dozens of" to describe a quantity that is more than a few dozen, but less than hundreds. For example, "The library received many dozens of new books this month."

What can I say instead of "many dozens of"?

You can use alternatives like "numerous dozens of", "several dozens of", or "a good many dozens of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "many dozens of" or a more specific number?

If you know the exact number or a close estimate, it's generally better to use that instead of "many dozens of" for greater precision. However, if the exact number is unknown or unimportant, "many dozens of" is perfectly acceptable.

What is the difference between "dozens of" and "many dozens of"?

"Dozens of" indicates a quantity of more than two dozens, while "many dozens of" suggests a significantly larger amount, implying a considerable number of dozens.