masses of soil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "masses of soil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing large quantities or accumulations of soil, often in contexts related to agriculture, construction, or environmental science. Example: "The construction site was filled with masses of soil that needed to be removed before the foundation could be laid."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Enormous masses of soil, gravel, and stone were also carried by glacial action as far south as present-day Denmark and northern Germany.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

With aftershocks measuring up to 5.4 on the Richter scale rattling the unstable mass of soil and rubble, there was no safe place to keep the 182 bodies found in the area so far.

The Guardian

One of the greatest benefits of underground homes is their energy efficiency, as the mass of soil or rock (the geothermal mass) surrounding the house stores heat and insulates the house, keeping it warm in winter and cool in the summer.

The Guardian

It provides better drainage than a surface system because it removes water from the soil to the depth of the drain, providing plants a greater mass of soil for root development, permitting the soil to warm up faster in the spring, and maintaining a better balance of bacterial action, the air in the soil, and other factors needed for maximum crop growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The contaminated mass of soil served as the contamination source zone.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

A higher mass of soil organic carbon and carbon sequestration potential rate was recorded under ZT.

Soil and Tillage Research

Increasing the mass of soil slowed the vaporization rate and lessened the change of δ13C of the residue.

Petroleum Science

When weathered, shale tends to degrade into a fine-grained mass of soil with high compressibility and low shear strength.

Engineering Geology

Amount of water-stable aggregates was expressed as the percentage of soil remaining on the sieve after 10 min relative to the initial mass of soil used.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Rosso's seepage flow equation is derived by coupling the conservation of mass of soil water with the Darcy's law.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

where m is the mass of soil used and V is the volume of water added to obtain the 100% WHC for DGT deployments.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of natural processes like erosion or glacial movement, use "masses of soil" to convey the scale of material being moved or deposited. For example, "Enormous masses of soil were carried by glacial action."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "masses of soil" may sound too technical or scientific for casual conversation. In everyday speech, consider using simpler alternatives like "lots of dirt" or "piles of soil".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "masses of soil" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a significant quantity of earth material, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "masses of soil" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase to describe large quantities of earth, predominantly in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English. When writing, remember that while correct, "masses of soil" can sound a bit formal for everyday conversations. In such cases, consider the simpler alternatives offered, such as "large amounts of soil". Understanding its function and context helps writers use it effectively and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large amounts of soil

Focuses on the quantity of soil present, emphasizing the considerable volume.

large quantities of soil

Similar to "large amounts", but may suggest a more precise or measurable quantity.

significant volume of soil

Highlights the spatial extent of the soil, emphasizing its size.

substantial accumulation of soil

Emphasizes the process of soil gathering or building up over time.

extensive deposits of soil

Suggests a widespread and naturally occurring collection of soil.

considerable heaps of soil

Implies the soil is piled or stacked, rather than evenly distributed.

vast expanses of soil

Focuses on the broad area covered by the soil, highlighting its reach.

great quantities of earth

Uses "earth" as a synonym for soil, providing a slightly more general term.

large aggregate of soil

Highlights a soil that is comprised of individual pieces or particles joined together.

sizeable body of soil

Implies a single, unified collection of soil, rather than fragmented heaps.

FAQs

How can I use "masses of soil" in a sentence?

You can use "masses of soil" to describe significant quantities of earth material, such as "The landslide deposited "masses of soil" across the valley floor".

What are some alternatives to using "masses of soil"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "large amounts of soil", "large quantities of soil", or "substantial accumulation of soil".

Is "mass of soil" or "masses of soil" more appropriate?

"Mass of soil" refers to a singular, unified body of soil, while "masses of soil" indicates multiple or a large quantity of soil. Choose the phrasing that accurately reflects the quantity being described.

In what contexts is it suitable to use the phrase "masses of soil"?

The phrase "masses of soil" is suitable in contexts related to geography, agriculture, construction, environmental science, or any field where significant quantities of soil are being discussed or described.