there was a bunch of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there was a bunch of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity or group of something in a casual or informal context. Example: "At the picnic, there was a bunch of delicious food laid out on the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Did they know that in the back of the bar there was a bunch of creepy naked guys?

Vice

There was a bunch of guys there.

The New Yorker

"There was a bunch of us just around talking football.

The New York Times

We went outside and there was a bunch of officers in green with their dogs.

Independent

There was a bunch of cars in the 7-Eleven parking lot.

The New York Times

Instead there was a bunch of hyper tourists who had mostly come for this unique experience.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"There is a bunch of red.

The New Yorker

There's a bunch of 'em.

The New York Times

There are a bunch of others.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There's a bunch of other issues.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There's a bunch of regions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there was a bunch of" in informal writing or speech to describe a collection or quantity of something, but consider more formal alternatives like "there were many" or "there was a great deal of" in professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "there was a bunch of" when referring to countable plural nouns if formal tone is a must. While grammatically acceptable in informal contexts, using "there were a bunch of" can be considered more appropriate by formal english writers, even though Ludwig AI validates the grammar as correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was a bunch of" functions as an existential quantifier, indicating the presence of a significant quantity or number of something. It commonly introduces a noun phrase, specifying what exists in abundance. Ludwig showcases numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there was a bunch of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a notable quantity of something in informal contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's essential to consider the audience and purpose, opting for more formal alternatives in professional settings. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, where it effectively conveys information in an accessible manner. When writing it always important to remember that although it is grammatically correct, using alternatives might be considered more elegant by some english users.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there was a lot of

More general and slightly less informal than the original phrase.

there was a great deal of

Similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

there were many

More formal and grammatically emphasizes the plurality of the subject.

there was a heap of

More informal, suggesting a disordered pile or collection.

there was a mass of

Implies a large, undifferentiated quantity.

there was an abundance of

Emphasizes a plentiful supply or quantity.

there was a pile of

Suggests a disorganized collection of items.

there was a cluster of

Suggests a closely packed group or collection.

there existed a multitude of

More formal and emphasizes the large number or variety.

there was a swarm of

Specifically used for describing a large group of insects or people moving together.

FAQs

What does "there was a bunch of" mean?

The phrase "there was a bunch of" means there was a large quantity or number of something. It's an informal way to indicate abundance or a considerable amount.

Is it correct to say "there was a bunch of", or should I use "there were a bunch of"?

Both are commonly used. "There was a bunch of" treats the bunch as a single unit, while "there were a bunch of" emphasizes the individual items within the bunch. Though Ludwig AI validates the grammar as correct, formal writing may prefer the latter when referring to plural nouns.

What can I say instead of "there was a bunch of"?

You can use alternatives like "there was a lot of", "there were many", or "there was a great deal of" depending on the context.

In what contexts is "there was a bunch of" appropriate?

"There was a bunch of" is suitable for informal conversations, casual writing, or situations where a relaxed tone is acceptable. Avoid it in formal reports, academic papers, or business communications where more precise language is expected.