such a mass

USAGE SUMMARY

"such a mass" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when referring to a large quantity or amount of something. For example, "The cat was carrying such a mass of toys it could barely see where it was going."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But nowadays it's such a mass medium you have to.

The Guardian - Film

Such a mass dump of sensitive information is known as being "doxxed".

The Guardian - Tech

A candidate is lucky to break even on such a mass mailing.

The New York Times - Magazine

I have never experienced such a mass of crowd emotion: abject, silent, uncomprehending, furious.

The New Yorker

By some estimates, 285 million people would be killed in such a mass attack.

The New York Times

Has there ever been an England game with such a mass walkout?

The Guardian - Sport

But it could be the last time such a mass disposal is carried out.

The Guardian

It is striking to watch such a mass of movement, such industry, occurring silently.

Independent

"I never conceived such a mass of misery in the world before".

The Economist

Who did they let go?" Other advocates said such a mass detention was not a common occurrence.

The New York Times

Until several months ago, such a mass gathering against the FARC would have been improbable in this country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a mass" when you want to emphasize the sheer size or quantity of something, often implying that it is impressive or overwhelming. For example, "Such a mass of data requires careful analysis."

Common error

Avoid using "such a mass" in contexts where simpler phrases like "a lot of" or "many" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a mass" functions primarily as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a large quantity or amount of something. Ludwig examples show it describing emotions, information, or physical entities. It serves to emphasize the scale or magnitude of the noun it modifies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "such a mass" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a large quantity or amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing something impressive or overwhelming due to its scale. While it appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, it's important to avoid overuse in simple contexts where simpler terms would suffice. Alternatives like "a considerable quantity" or "a large volume" can be used depending on the specific context. Therefore, the expert advice is to use "such a mass" where emphasis on scale or impressiveness is desired, maintaining a balance to prevent overly formal or stilted writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an enormous quantity

Stresses the immensity of the amount.

a vast amount

Highlights the scale or extent of the quantity.

a considerable quantity

Emphasizes the size but uses more formal vocabulary.

an abundance of

Emphasizes a plentiful supply or availability.

a substantial amount

Highlights the significance of the quantity.

a large volume

Focuses on the extent or capacity.

a great deal

Informal way to express a large quantity.

a mountain of

Metaphorically represents a large accumulation.

a plethora

Indicates an overabundance or excess.

a profusion

Suggests an abundant or extravagant quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "such a mass" in a sentence?

You can use "such a mass" to describe a large quantity or accumulation of something. For example, "The museum contained "such a mass of" artifacts that it took days to see everything."

What are some alternatives to using "such a mass"?

Alternatives include "a large amount of", "a great deal of", or "a substantial quantity of", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "such a mass" in formal or informal writing?

While acceptable in both, "such a mass" is generally more appropriate in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the scale or impressiveness of a quantity. More informal contexts might benefit from alternatives such as "a lot of" or "tons of".

What's the difference between "such a mass" and "a large quantity"?

"Such a mass" often carries a stronger connotation of being overwhelming or impressive due to its size, whereas "a large quantity" simply indicates a significant amount without necessarily implying the same sense of magnitude.