more massive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more massive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the size or weight of two or more objects, indicating that one has a greater mass than the other. Example: "The new planet discovered in the solar system is more massive than Jupiter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The glass also got more massive.

The New York Times - Arts

The lightest nucleus, that of hydrogen, is 1,836 times more massive than an electron, while heavy nuclei are nearly 500,000 times more massive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The head and shoulders of an actual chimp are more massive than Caesar's," he said.

The New York Times

It was more massive than earlier dinosaurs and had bones that were stocky and thick.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Taus, in turn, are approximately 3,700 times more massive than electrons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An even more massive star continues to collapse and becomes a black hole.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the particles travel faster, they become more massive (because E=mc2).

The Economist

It is more massive than Uranus, however, having a density roughly 25 percent higher.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That means even more massive layoffs.

TechCrunch

The more massive an object, the more it distorts spacetime.

Science Magazine

Our sun is more massive than most other stars.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more massive" when comparing the mass of two or more objects, especially in scientific or technical contexts where precision is important. For general contexts, consider using "larger" or "heavier" if they fit the meaning better.

Common error

Be careful not to use "more massive" interchangeably with "heavier" in contexts where weight (the force of gravity on an object) is meant. While related, mass is an intrinsic property, whereas weight depends on the gravitational field.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more massive" functions primarily as a comparative adjective. It modifies a noun by indicating that it has a greater mass than another object or entity. Ludwig's examples illustrate this function across various domains, from scientific descriptions of celestial bodies to everyday comparisons of physical objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more massive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative adjective, predominantly found in science, news media, and encyclopedic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a comparison of mass between objects or entities. When writing, it's crucial to differentiate mass from weight and use "more massive" when comparing quantities of matter. For general use, consider alternatives like "larger" or "heavier", and remember that clarity is key in both technical and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of greater mass

A more formal and scientific phrasing.

larger in size

Focuses on physical dimensions rather than mass specifically.

heavier in weight

Emphasizes weight as a measure of mass under gravity.

more sizable

Highlights the size aspect, often interchangeable.

more substantial

Indicates greater size, weight, or importance.

more weighty

Similar to "heavier", but can also imply importance.

more bulky

Suggests a larger, often less refined, size.

more immense

Emphasizes the great scale or extent.

more voluminous

Highlights the amount of space occupied.

more gigantic

Implies an extremely large size or mass.

FAQs

How is "more massive" used in scientific contexts?

In scientific contexts, "more massive" is used to precisely compare the amount of matter in two or more objects. For example, "A neutron star is "more massive" than the Sun but much smaller in size."

What's the difference between "more massive" and "heavier"?

"More massive" refers to the quantity of matter an object contains, while "heavier" refers to the force of gravity acting on that mass. An object can be "more massive" even if it isn't necessarily heavier in a different gravitational field.

Can I use "larger" instead of "more massive"?

While "larger" and "more massive" can sometimes be interchangeable, "more massive" specifically refers to mass, not just physical size or volume. If you're referring to the amount of matter, "more massive" is "more massive" appropriate.

What are some alternative phrases for "more massive" in informal contexts?

In informal contexts, you could use phrases like "bigger", "bulkier", or "weightier", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "That computer is "more massive" than my laptop" could become "That computer is bulkier than my laptop."