massive number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'massive number' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a very large quantity of something, and is often used in a context where size is important. For example: "The massive number of people attending the event caused traffic chaos in the city centre."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They have a massive number of social media followers".

The Guardian

Since 1997 we have closed a massive number.

The Guardian

We're not even talking about a massive number of children".

The Guardian

And we still have a massive number of problems here".

The New York Times

"He outspent his opponent by a massive, massive number," Hank Morris, a Democratic political consultant, declared..

The New Yorker

Despite massive number of inhabitants their markets are pretty weak, similar to Australia or lower.

The New Yorker

"You're talking about a massive number of phones," Mr. Benzie said.

The New York Times

"We're not talking about a massive number of people," Duffy said about the high recidivism rates.

The Guardian

But there are a massive number of companies that have no interest in rewarding shareholders.

The New York Times

And as a financial centre, the City creates a massive number of jobs.

The Guardian

But they're not interesting until we have a massive number of users," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "massive number", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being quantified. For example, specify "a massive number of users" or "a massive number of data points".

Common error

Avoid using "massive number" in overly casual or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "many" or "a lot" would be more appropriate. Maintain a level of formality consistent with your audience and purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "massive number" functions primarily as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a large quantity. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used across diverse contexts, emphasizing scale or magnitude.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "massive number" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe a large quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequency is very common, especially in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating its appropriateness in both formal and neutral registers. When using "massive number", it's important to specify the item being quantified for clarity and avoid overuse in overly informal contexts. For alternatives, consider phrases like ""vast number"" or ""substantial quantity"" for similar emphasis or ""large number"" for a more neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vast number

Replaces "massive" with "vast", suggesting a wide or extensive quantity. Both are suitable for emphasizing scale.

huge quantity

Uses a more informal adjective, "huge", to express a large quantity. This is similar to "massive" but less formal.

substantial quantity

Replaces "number" with "quantity", shifting the focus to the amount rather than the count. The meaning is largely preserved, focusing on the significant amount of something.

significant amount

Uses "amount" to emphasize the quantity and "significant" to highlight its importance or impact. It's more general and can apply to both countable and uncountable items.

large quantity

A more basic and versatile alternative, suitable for a broad range of contexts where a significant amount is present.

considerable volume

Emphasizes the size or capacity involved. Best used when referring to something that takes up space or has a large scale.

great deal

Applicable when referring to an uncountable noun, emphasizing a significant amount. It introduces a subtle shift to informality.

countless instances

Implies that the number is so large it's difficult or impossible to count. Best used when the precise number isn't as important as the abundance.

innumerable occurrences

Similar to "countless instances" but more formal, suggesting a very high number of times something happens.

extensive array

Suggests a wide and varied collection, rather than focusing solely on the numeric quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "massive number" in a sentence?

You can use "massive number" to describe a large quantity of something. For example, "The project generated a massive number of data points." or "There was a massive number of attendees at the conference."

What are some alternatives to "massive number"?

Alternatives include "substantial quantity", "significant amount", or "vast number", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "massive number" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "massive number" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, technical, or news contexts where precise quantification is important. However, consider the alternatives if a less emphatic tone is desired.

What's the difference between "massive number" and "large number"?

"Massive number" emphasizes the extreme scale or impact of the quantity, while "large number" simply indicates a quantity that is greater than average. "Massive" adds a sense of overwhelming size.