the sheer amount

USAGE SUMMARY

'the sheer amount' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the magnitude or size of something. For example, "The sheer amount of donations collected was remarkable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The sheer amount of time devoted to Ireland was remarkable.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sheer amount this man knows about religion is otherworldly.

The New York Times - Books

First, there is the sheer amount of money they owe.

The Economist

The sheer amount of wildlife under our waters is incredible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The task is unlike any other because of the sheer amount of time involved.

The New York Times

One reason is the sheer amount of data on the web.

The Economist

The sheer amount of accompanying commentary and philological footnotes is one of them.

The New Yorker

When you combine the length and duration with the sheer amount of them, it's staggering.

The New York Times

The most Ackroydian thing about Ackroyd's writing, though, is the sheer amount of it.

The New York Times

"The sheer amount of time that we've been so focused on them doesn't do much".

Independent

We could easily have done 50, given the sheer amount of wine out there.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sheer amount" to emphasize not just the quantity, but also its impact or surprising nature. For instance, "The sheer amount of data overwhelmed the researchers."

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "the sheer amount" excessively in very informal conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a lot of" or "tons of" in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sheer amount" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize the size or extent of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples include "The sheer amount of data" and "The sheer amount of time".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sheer amount" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the magnitude or extent of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate in a variety of contexts, particularly news and media, science, and formal business settings. When writing, remember to use this phrase to convey a sense of impressiveness or surprise regarding a quantity, and consider alternatives like "the sheer volume" or "a large quantity" depending on the nuance you wish to express. While overuse in very informal settings should be avoided, its clarity and widespread usage make it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sheer volume

Replaces "amount" with "volume", implying a large quantity conceived as space or capacity.

the sheer quantity

Substitutes "amount" with "quantity", focusing on the numerable aspect of a large amount.

the sheer magnitude

Emphasizes the greatness of size or extent.

the sheer scale

Highlights the overall size or scope of something.

the vast amount

Replaces "sheer" with "vast", emphasizing the great extent or size.

the considerable amount

Emphasizes the significance of the quantity.

the enormous quantity

Combines "enormous" and "quantity" to highlight the greatness in number.

the immense volume

Combines "immense" and "volume" to suggest a very large amount of space or capacity.

a great deal

A more general expression to indicate a large quantity.

a large quantity

A straightforward alternative, focusing on the quantity being large.

FAQs

How can I use "the sheer amount" in a sentence?

Use "the sheer amount" to emphasize the impressive or overwhelming nature of a quantity. For example, "The project was delayed due to "the sheer amount of paperwork" involved."

What are some alternatives to "the sheer amount"?

You can use phrases like "the sheer volume", "the sheer quantity", or "a large quantity" depending on the specific context and what you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "the sheer amount of" followed by a plural noun?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For example, "the sheer amount of resources" is perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "the sheer amount" and "the vast amount"?

While both phrases indicate a large quantity, "the sheer amount" often implies that the quantity is surprisingly large or overwhelming, while "the vast amount" simply emphasizes the size or extent without necessarily implying surprise.