staggering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "staggering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is exceptionally large or impressive. For example: "The staggering amount of data collected in this experiment was impressive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that the second half of the prize should go to Emmanuelle Bercot for her frantic, mugging, self-congratulatory turn in Maïwenn's unwatchably awful Mon Roi is staggering.

The Guardian - Film

It might be a dagger, or a full-on Zorro sword, or it might even be a bespoke 30ft knife that Benicio spends the film staggering beneath like a beleaguered caber-tosser.

The Guardian - Film

The fall and fall of Wolves during the 1980s was simply staggering.

The Guardian - Sport

2. The Wire's consistency is nothing short of staggering.

The Guardian

Our polling technician Harry Enten attacks the seeming paradox in a new piece:..the difference between the statewide and national polls has been pretty staggering.

The Guardian

The cult US author is best known for his 2000 pseudo-memoir A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which chronicled his 20-year-old self's attempts to bring up a younger brother, Christopher, after their parents both died of cancer within the space of a few months.

The Guardian - Film

These bounce the signal earthwards to mobile or (in the case of WorldSpace) stationary receivers.The amount of processing power and data storage needed to handle 100 channels of compressed audio is staggering.

The Economist

The country is staggering under a massive public debt.

The Economist

More of the gains of economic activity would flow to workers and investors.Instead building regulations keep urban-land productivity low, and the costs are staggering.

The Economist

It could also, officials say, help the country change in more fundamental ways.The numbers handled by China's state-owned rail service during the new-year holiday (February 9th-15th this year) are staggering: a by-product of a huge recent migration into urban areas of rural residents, most of whom have left behind relatives whom they rejoin in the countryside for the festivities.

The Economist

Economically, the world appears to have progressed from supine to staggering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "staggering" to emphasize the magnitude or impact of something, whether it's a number, a defeat, or a genius.

Common error

While "staggering" is a powerful word, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "amazing" or "impressive" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "staggering" is that of an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something as extremely surprising or impressive due to its large size, amount, or effect. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this clearly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "staggering" functions primarily as an adjective, used to emphasize the magnitude or impact of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing "staggering" in casual settings. Alternatives like "astounding" or "astonishing" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance. Using "staggering" effectively can enhance your writing by highlighting the truly exceptional or overwhelming aspects of your subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astounding

Emphasizes the surprise and amazement caused by something.

astonishing

Similar to astounding, highlighting the unexpected nature of something.

overwhelming

Focuses on the feeling of being burdened or affected intensely.

remarkable

Highlights the unusual and noteworthy quality of something.

incredible

Stresses the difficulty of believing something.

amazing

Focuses on the positive and impressive nature of something.

unbelievable

Implies something is hard to accept as true.

jaw-dropping

Informal way to describe something extremely impressive or surprising.

flabbergasting

Indicates something that causes great surprise and bewilderment.

reeling

Describes a state of shock or disorientation.

FAQs

How can I use "staggering" in a sentence?

You can use "staggering" to describe something that is surprisingly large, impressive, or overwhelming. For example, "The company reported a staggering profit this quarter."

What words can I use instead of "staggering"?

You can use alternatives like "astounding", "astonishing", or "overwhelming" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "staggering amount" or "large amount"?

While both are correct, "staggering amount" emphasizes the surprising or overwhelming size of the amount, making it a stronger statement than simply "large amount."

What's the difference between "staggering" and "astounding"?

"Staggering" often implies something is so large or impactful that it's almost overwhelming, while "astounding" focuses more on the surprise and amazement that something causes.