raft of figures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raft of figures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number or collection of numerical data or statistics. Example: "The report presented a raft of figures that illustrated the company's growth over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now, not only is Mr. Abrams back -- though not in a position that would require confirmation by the Senate -- but a raft of figures involved in the battles over the Nicaragua guerrillas, known as the contras, are back, as well.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the UK, a raft of economic figures are likely to underline the uncertain outlook, including fresh confirmation that Britain's pay recovery has stalled.

The Guardian - Business

One source with knowledge of the meetings said Blair's office had been contacting a raft of prominent figures, including Major, the former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, and his successor, Tim Farron.

The Guardian

The raft of Ministry of Justice figures appears to back him up.

BBC

China's economy continues to suffer, a raft of economic figures released for July reveal, but Beijing's enormous $585 billion stimulus program seems to be catalyzing spending at home.

Forbes

Despite Mr. McMillan's large award, lawyers for the city and some of the victims said they did not expect a raft of eight-figure judgments to follow.

The New York Times

Every week we are presented with a raft of facts and figures the size of the Isle of Wight.

The Guardian - Sport

Among the night's casualties were a raft of senior Labour figures, including his shadow chancellor Ed Balls, defeated in Leeds.

The Guardian

With a raft of Chinese economic figures due this weekend, there will be a lot of interest in how its plans are going.

BBC

A raft of Egyptian football figures have expressed their concerns over the government's refusal to allow the domestic league to resume next season.

BBC

The course includes "a two-hour exhibition with cutting-edge vajazzler Dr Flora Pisol MBE, whose contributions to the field have earned her the recognition of a raft of well-known public figures including model Katie Price, the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ed Balls".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "raft of figures", ensure that the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a substantial amount of numerical data or statistics to emphasize the scale or scope of information.

Common error

Avoid using "raft of figures" when referring to a small or insignificant amount of data, as it diminishes the impact and accuracy of your description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raft of figures" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates this is used to express the concept of multiple figures or facts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raft of figures" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a large number of numerical data or statistics. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for formal and informal contexts, appearing commonly in news, scientific, and business settings. While versatile, ensure the context involves a significant amount of data to accurately convey the intended meaning. Alternatives like "abundance of data" or "wealth of statistics" can offer nuanced variations for emphasis. Be mindful of overusing the phrase for small datasets, which can diminish the impact. With this usage in mind, you can feel comfortable using "raft of figures" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundance of data

Replaces "figures" with "data" and "raft" with "abundance", emphasizing the plentiful nature of the information.

wealth of statistics

Substitutes "figures" with "statistics" and "raft" with "wealth", highlighting the richness and quantity of numerical information.

large number of statistics

Replaces "raft" with "large number", making the phrase more literal and direct.

considerable body of data

Uses "body" to describe the data collectively, emphasizing its size and substance; replaces "raft of figures" with a more formal construction.

extensive collection of data

Replaces "raft" with "extensive collection", stressing the comprehensiveness of the data gathering.

wide array of numbers

Uses "numbers" instead of "figures" and "array" instead of "raft", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

significant quantity of data

Replaces "raft" with "significant quantity", underlining the importance and volume of the information.

huge volume of statistics

Substitutes "raft" with "huge volume", accentuating the sheer amount of statistical information.

mountain of evidence

Employs "mountain" to illustrate the massive amount of evidence, not necessarily restricted to numerical data.

mass of information

Uses "mass" to indicate a large quantity of information, broader than just numerical figures.

FAQs

How can I use "raft of figures" in a sentence?

You can use "raft of figures" to indicate a large quantity of numerical data. For example: "The economic report presented a "raft of figures" showing the country's economic decline."

What does "raft of figures" mean?

The phrase "raft of figures" refers to a large number or collection of numerical data, statistics, or other figures. It suggests there is a substantial amount of information to consider.

Are there any synonyms for "raft of figures"?

Yes, alternatives include "abundance of data", "wealth of statistics", or "large number of statistics". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "raft of figures" in formal writing?

Yes, "raft of figures" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing reports, statistics, or data analysis. However, consider the specific audience and choose the most precise language to ensure clarity. Alternatives like "considerable body of data" might be preferable in certain academic contexts.