many thousands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "many thousands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a large quantity or number, often in contexts discussing populations, statistics, or amounts. Example: "The charity event raised many thousands of dollars for the local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Many thousands of volts.

The New York Times

Many, many thousands have "disappeared".

The New York Times

Multiply such a sting by many thousands.

The New Yorker

She will hug many thousands of people.

The New York Times

Nitrogen forms many thousands of organic compounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its population must have numbered many thousands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Many years, many thousands of dollars.

The New York Times - Sports

(How many thousands? That's not clear).

The New Yorker

Many thousands more sustained lifelong injuries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But how many thousands?

The New Yorker

It will cost many thousands".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "many thousands" when you want to convey a large but not precisely defined number. It's more impactful than "thousands" alone but less hyperbolic than "millions".

Common error

Avoid using "many thousands" when a more precise number is available or when "thousands" alone would suffice. Overusing the phrase can weaken your writing and make it seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many thousands" functions as a quantifier, specifying an indefinite but large number. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It modifies a noun, indicating the quantity is in the thousands but more than just a few.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "many thousands" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a substantial, but not precisely defined, quantity. According to Ludwig, it's considered correct in written English. It is most commonly found in news reports, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While more precise numbers are preferable in formal academic writing, "many thousands" serves well when conveying a general sense of scale. Alternatives like "numerous thousands" or "countless thousands" can provide similar emphasis. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse when more specific figures are available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous thousands

This alternative maintains the same structure but replaces "many" with "numerous", offering a slightly more formal tone.

thousands upon thousands

This alternative emphasizes the large quantity by repeating "thousands", adding a sense of magnitude.

countless thousands

This alternative suggests the quantity is so large it's impossible to count, adding emphasis.

a multitude of thousands

This alternative uses "multitude" to describe the large number of thousands.

a great many thousands

This alternative adds "great" to intensify the quantity of thousands.

several thousand

This option provides a less emphatic but still considerable quantity.

substantial thousands

Using "substantial" implies a significant and considerable number of thousands.

innumerable thousands

Similar to "countless", this emphasizes the inability to count the large number.

a large number of thousands

This is a more literal and less idiomatic way of expressing the same quantity.

plenty of thousands

Suggests an ample or sufficient amount, though perhaps slightly less formal.

FAQs

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

You can use "many thousands" to describe a large quantity or number of something, such as "Many thousands of people attended the concert" or "The project cost many thousands of dollars".

What can I say instead of "many thousands"?

You can use alternatives like "numerous thousands", "countless thousands", or "several thousand" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it more appropriate to say "many thousands" or "thousands"?

"Many thousands" emphasizes a larger quantity than simply "thousands". Use "many thousands" when you want to highlight the significant number, while "thousands" is suitable for a less emphatic description.

What's the difference between "many thousands" and "tens of thousands"?

"Many thousands" implies a general large number within the thousands range, whereas "tens of thousands" suggests a more specific range, from 10,000 to 99,999. "Tens of thousands" provides a more precise idea of the quantity.