millions of records

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "millions of records" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large quantity of data or information stored in a database or collection. Example: "The research team analyzed millions of records to identify trends in consumer behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has sold millions of records.

The Washington Post

In the past six years, many breaches have been disclosed, implicating hundreds of millions of records about individuals.

University of California, Berkeley

Yet, we see that millions and millions of records were exposed.

Forbes

She sold millions of records around the world.

Los Angeles Times

Zia Atabay sold millions of records as a pop singer in his native Iran.

Los Angeles Times

Maybe we won't get super rich and sell millions of records and downloads.

HuffPost

Yannick is selling millions of records!

The New York Times - Magazine

When you've sold millions and millions of records, why worry?

The Guardian - Music

Patsy's version of it has sold millions of records.

The Guardian - Music

That meant mass market and millions of records.

The Guardian - Music

After millions of records sold, thousands of S.R.O.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing data breaches or large datasets, use "millions of records" to convey the scale of the information involved. Be specific about the type of records and their potential impact for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "millions of records" when a smaller quantity, such as thousands, would be more accurate. Exaggerating the number can undermine your credibility. Always verify the actual figures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "millions of records" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun, specifying the quantity of items being referenced. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples across varied contexts, demonstrating its wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "millions of records" is a versatile phrase used to describe substantial quantities of data across various domains. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. Its grammatical status is correct, and the purpose is to convey scale. While alternatives like "a vast number of records" or "substantial amount of records" exist, "millions of records" provides a clear and widely understood metric. The register is generally neutral, fitting both formal and informal communications. Therefore, using this phrase is appropriate when emphasizing the magnitude of data-related scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tons of records

Replaces "millions" with "tons", providing a less precise but still substantial quantity.

hundreds of records

Uses "hundreds" instead of "millions", indicating a smaller but still significant number.

vast number of records

Emphasizes the immensity of the record count using "vast number".

large volume of records

Highlights the quantity of records using the term "volume".

lots of records

Replaces "millions" with "lots", offering a more informal and less specific quantity.

thousands of records

Uses "thousands" instead of "millions", indicating a smaller yet substantial quantity.

a myriad of records

Uses "myriad" to suggest a very large, indefinite number of records.

tens of records

Specifies "tens" instead of "millions", denoting a considerably smaller quantity.

substantial amount of records

Replaces "millions" with a more descriptive term, focusing on the amount's significance.

extensive collection of records

Focuses on the comprehensive nature of the record collection.

FAQs

How can I use "millions of records" in a sentence?

Use "millions of records" to describe the magnitude of data sets or the scale of information impacted in events like data breaches. For example: "The data breach exposed "millions of records" containing sensitive customer information."

What are some alternatives to "millions of records"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives like "a vast number of records", "a substantial amount of records", or "a large volume of records". Each emphasizes the quantity in a slightly different way.

Is it appropriate to use "millions of records" in formal writing?

Yes, "millions of records" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing data analysis, breaches, or statistical information. It provides a clear indication of scale without being overly informal.

What's the difference between "millions of records" and "thousands of records"?

"Millions of records" indicates a quantity of at least 1,000,000 records, while "thousands of records" refers to a quantity between 1,000 and 999,999. The choice depends on the actual number being represented; accuracy is key.