mountain of data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mountain of data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large volume of data that is overwhelming or difficult to manage. Example: "The research team was faced with a mountain of data that needed to be analyzed before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For many people, a "mountain of data" evokes a heaping pile of unorganized information.

The New York Times - Science

Google has a mountain of data based on how people search.

The New York Times - Tech

Science blog network How can climate policy stay on top of a growing mountain of data?

The Guardian

This mountain of data allows Mr Piketty to tell a simple and compelling story.

The Economist

He said his team had collected a "golden mountain" of data on the plankton bloom.

The New York Times - Science

So, after sorting through a mountain of data, Glaeser decided that the housing crisis was man-made.

The New York Times - Magazine

Greene's team has amassed a mountain of data derived from study participants solving moral dilemmas while in brain scanners.

University of California, Berkeley

More definitive answers may be found in the mountain of data accumulated by new online companies involved in real estate.

The New York Times

For computer scientists, this fast-growing mountain of data is opening a tantalizing window onto the collective consciousness of Internet users.

The New York Times - Tech

The real point, however, is not the release of any one informational pebble; the point is that a full mountain of data is, very slowly, coming into view.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"You are accumulating mountains of data just to sit on..

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mountain of data", consider whether the metaphor effectively conveys the intended meaning. If the focus is simply on the quantity, alternatives like "vast amount of information" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "mountain of data" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "extensive dataset" or "large volume of data" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mountain of data" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI examples show it describing a substantial quantity of information that needs processing or analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mountain of data" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase to describe a large and often overwhelming quantity of information. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, emphasizing the challenges associated with managing extensive datasets. While the phrase is generally acceptable, varying your language with alternatives like "vast amount of information" or "large volume of data" can enhance clarity and prevent repetition. Keep in mind that the term itself doesn't imply being overwhelmed, but rather denotes the existence of a sizable data collection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vast amount of information

Replaces the metaphorical "mountain" with a more straightforward description of quantity.

large volume of data

Substitutes "mountain" with "volume", emphasizing the measurable size of the data.

extensive data set

Focuses on the organized collection of data rather than its overwhelming size.

sea of information

Uses a different metaphor, "sea", to convey the immensity of the information.

wealth of data

Highlights the abundance and potential value contained within the data.

huge quantity of data

Emphasizes the magnitude of the data using "huge quantity".

massive data collection

Focuses on the act of gathering a substantial amount of data.

comprehensive data resource

Highlights the completeness and usability of the data collection.

overwhelming amount of data

Emphasizes the feeling of being burdened by the large quantity of data.

significant data reserves

Presents data as a valuable resource that is available in large quantities.

FAQs

How can I use "mountain of data" in a sentence?

You can use "mountain of data" to describe a large and overwhelming collection of information, such as "The research team had to sift through a "mountain of data" to find relevant insights."

What can I say instead of "mountain of data"?

You can use alternatives like "vast amount of information", "large volume of data", or "extensive data set depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "mountain of data" in formal writing?

Yes, "mountain of data" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when you want to emphasize the sheer size and potential difficulty in managing the data. However, consider more neutral alternatives like "comprehensive dataset" for a less metaphorical tone.

What's the difference between "mountain of data" and "data overload"?

"Mountain of data" refers to a large quantity of information, while "data overload" describes the state of being overwhelmed by too much information. You can have a "mountain of data" without experiencing data overload if the data is well-organized and manageable.