mass of stuff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mass of stuff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of various items or materials, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "After the move, we were left with a mass of stuff that we needed to sort through and organize."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"A mass of stuff?" I said.

The New Yorker

"She left behind a mass of stuff," she said.

The Guardian - Books

Still, out of Luce's mass of stuff, two parallel but distinct diagnoses of "descent" emerge.

The New York Times - Books

"Block", meaning a solid mass of stuff (in this case a block of flats), goes way back to Middle English.

Independent

So there is a whole mass of stuff... in the universe we know nothing about and we never will know anything about, because the light will never get to us in time for us to know anything about it".

The Guardian

The hand is engaged in creating Man and Woman out of an amorphous mass of stuff, so the palm can't be studied, but a palmist can get the preliminary impressions from the back of the hand - the palm merely furnished the details.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Nothing is ever added to or subtracted from this storehouse of stuffs, although the mass of stuffs is not always homogeneous.

SEP

3) Cooking a large cold mass of stuffing so the juices are safe to eat means that the meat will be overcooked.

Huffington Post

In fact, you get the impression that Beaumont has had to leave masses of stuff out, for reasons of space.

The Guardian - Books

Theoretically, this can be done for free using human labour and local materials – like the old thatch, stone and wood cottages of pre-industrialised times – or by utilising the masses of stuff we've already produced.

The Guardian

I do listen to Napster and Spotify, and I load up my iPod as well – there's something terrific about being able to take a very small machine with masses of stuff on it.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mass of stuff" to describe a collection of items when you want to convey a sense of generality or lack of specific categorization. It's suitable when the exact nature of the items is either unknown or unimportant.

Common error

Avoid using "mass of stuff" in formal or professional writing where precise language is expected. Opt for more specific and descriptive terms to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mass of stuff" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes an unquantified or unspecified quantity of items or material. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mass of stuff" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, primarily employed to describe a large, unquantified collection of items. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, its informality suggests limiting its use to less formal contexts. Alternatives such as "large quantity of items" or "great deal of material" offer greater precision for professional or academic writing. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, this expression effectively conveys a general sense of quantity without specifying the exact nature of the items involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large quantity of items

Emphasizes the numerous individual items involved.

great deal of material

Focuses on the abundance of a specific substance or resource.

huge amount of things

Highlights the extensive volume and variety.

considerable volume of possessions

Implies ownership and significant size.

substantial accumulation of goods

Stresses the collection aspect and value.

vast collection of objects

Emphasizes the diverse nature of the assemblage.

mountain of stuff

Uses a metaphor to describe an overwhelming quantity.

plethora of things

Highlights the richness and diverse of the components.

aggregation of miscellaneous items

Formal term to suggest a random grouping with varied components.

collection of diverse articles

Focuses on components, emphasizing its varied composition.

FAQs

How can I use "mass of stuff" in a sentence?

You can use "mass of stuff" to describe a large quantity of items or materials, such as "After the renovation, there was a "mass of stuff" to clear out."

What are some alternatives to "mass of stuff"?

Consider using alternatives like "large quantity of items", "great deal of material", or "huge amount of things" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "mass of stuff"?

It is appropriate to use "mass of stuff" in informal contexts when you want to describe a large, unorganized collection of items without being specific.

Is "mass of stuff" grammatically correct?

Yes, "mass of stuff" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, though it might be too informal for certain contexts.