massed out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "massed out" is not standard or widely recognized in written English.
It may be used informally to describe a situation where something is accumulated or gathered in a large quantity, but it lacks clarity and may confuse readers. Example: "After the event, the supplies were massed out in the corner of the room, waiting to be distributed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But few Afghans got through today, though the border police estimated 10,000 were still massed out of sight on the other side.

The New York Times

A herd of television trucks was massed out front, and court clerks had to trudge to work at 5 30 this morning to process the latest urgently requested documents.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That said, there were also sparks of vitality, usually of the kind one doesn't find at, say, a Labour party conference: it sounds unlikely, but a massed out-of-tune version of the Proclaimers' hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) brimmed with an infectious sense of defianceand purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

The east coast province is struggling with mass out-migration, especially to the lucrative Alberta oil sands.

Vice

– of Wagnerian import before massed harmonies sang out the title.

The Guardian - Music

In turn, the masses drowned out the voices of the powerless and poor.

The Guardian - Opinion

Two months and three opinions later, the mass turned out to be a phantom.

The New York Times

In astronomical timescales, the black hole could evaporate, its once-enormous mass seeping out as cosmic static.

The New Yorker

Moreover, each quark mass comes out with a sizable uncertainty.

Science Magazine

But estimating cluster masses turns out to be hard.

Science Magazine

The sliding mass, shearing out on the pebble bed, is totally loess.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing large gatherings or accumulations, consider using more common and precise terms like "gathered", "assembled", or "accumulated" to ensure clarity and avoid potential confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "massed out" in formal writing or when precise language is necessary. The phrase is not widely recognized and may be misinterpreted, diluting your message. Prefer standard terms to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "massed out" functions as a phrasal verb, though its usage is not standardized. Based on Ludwig, it appears in contexts describing gatherings or distributions, yet lacks clear grammatical definition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "massed out" is a less common phrasal verb with an uncertain meaning. Ludwig AI shows examples across News & Media and Science, but its grammatical status is questionable. For clarity and precision in writing, it's best to use more standardized terms like "gathered", "distributed", or "accumulated". Given the limited usage and potential for misinterpretation, avoiding "massed out" in formal contexts is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathered together

Focuses on the act of bringing items or people into a single group or location, emphasizing the collection process rather than the distribution or removal.

distributed widely

Emphasizes the act of spreading something across a large area or among many people, in contrast to accumulating in one place.

accumulated rapidly

Highlights the quick buildup of something, differing from distribution or removal.

piled up

Describes a haphazard accumulation of items, often in a disorganized manner, unlike a systematic distribution.

cleared out

Signifies the removal of items or people from a place, the opposite of accumulating or gathering.

dispersed outwards

Highlights the scattering or spreading of something from a central point, in contrast to a concentrated accumulation.

congregated

Describes people coming together in a group, focusing on the social aspect of gathering.

extracted completely

Focuses on the thorough removal of something, emphasizing the completeness of the action.

bulked up

Implies an increase in size or volume, focusing on growth rather than distribution or removal.

assembled en masse

Refers to a large group of people gathering for a specific purpose, with a more formal tone.

FAQs

Is "massed out" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "massed out" is not a standard or widely recognized phrase in English. Consider alternatives like "gathered together" or "accumulated rapidly" for clarity.

What does "massed out" mean?

The meaning of "massed out" is unclear and can vary depending on context. It may suggest something is accumulated or distributed, but lacks precision. Use clearer alternatives to avoid confusion.

How can I use "massed out" in a sentence correctly?

Due to its ambiguity, it's best to avoid using "massed out" in formal or professional writing. If you intend to convey accumulation, consider using "piled up", "accumulated", or "gathered" for greater clarity.

What phrases are similar to "massed out"?

Similar phrases, depending on the intended meaning, could include "distributed widely" for spreading something out, or "gathered together" for collecting into one place.