thousand upon thousand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thousand upon thousand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a large, indefinite number of something, often in a poetic or dramatic context. Example: "The festival attracted thousands upon thousands of visitors from all over the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's fine to give positive support to those that are setting an example, but it is far more important to keep the pressure on the thousand upon thousand of companies that are still carrying on with business as usual.

The Guardian

Possessor of a resonant baritone that could cut through tight sequences of music and sound bites — and the coiner of familiar (and parodied) phrases like "In a world... ...... and "One man, one destiny" — LaFontaine, who died in 2008, voiced more than 5,000 trailers, thousand upon thousand of commercials and television promos.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

(For instance, the claim that Adam and Eve were formed from the dust of the ground and a human rib, respectively, not from millennia upon millennia of evolution, the suggestion that they lived in a garden near the Tigris and the Euphrates, not a hunter-gatherer community in Africa, and … well, you get the idea).

The New York Times

(Aristophanes once called battle "the terrible one, the tough one, the one upon the legs").

The New York Times

Reading his extensive back catalogue you will stumble upon a hundred, a thousand moments of brilliance like these.

The Guardian - Books

Roommate information will be available and can be provided, upon request, two to three weeks before your move-in date.

Columbia University

Earlier this month, in an interview on CNN, Kobach defended the President-elect's recent promise to deport two to three million "criminals" upon taking office.

The New Yorker

Once you have submitted all required items, you can expect to receive an admissions decision within three to four weeks upon completion of your application.

Columbia University

And increasingly, the urge to demonise the colour pink feels as retrograde as a parent insisting upon it – one pushing, one pulling, both arrive at the same stereotype.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Passengers riding the 7 train had one or two choices upon arriving at the Mets-Willets Point stop Saturday — walk north toward Citi Field or head south in the direction of the United States Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The New York Times

In the model illustrated, the philanthropic responsibilities are located at the top of the International Pyramid of CSR, but they could change either tier two or three, depending upon the context.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thousand upon thousand" to create a more emphatic or poetic tone when describing a very large, but not precisely defined, quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "thousand upon thousand" in highly formal or technical writing where precise numerical data is expected. Opt for more specific figures or descriptive terms like 'tens of thousands' or 'hundreds of thousands' instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thousand upon thousand" functions as a quantifier, emphasizing a large but indefinite number. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which validates its use. It works to amplify the sense of numerousness beyond simply saying 'thousands'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thousand upon thousand" is a grammatically sound way to emphasize a large, indefinite quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is primarily used in journalistic and descriptive writing within the News & Media context, and it serves to exaggerate the quantity and invoke a sense of scale. While correct, it's best suited for contexts where a less precise, more emphatic tone is desired, and should be avoided in situations requiring exact figures. Alternatives like "countless thousands" or "tens of thousands" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Thousands and thousands

Emphasizes the repetition of "thousands" for added intensity.

Innumerable thousands

Combines the idea of 'countless' with 'thousands', suggesting the amount is too high to be counted exactly.

Countless thousands

Similar to 'innumerable thousands' but slightly more common in general usage.

A multitude of thousands

Uses "multitude" to convey a large, unspecified number of thousands.

Myriad thousands

Replaces 'thousand' with 'myriad', emphasizing variety and immensity.

A great many thousands

More descriptive, explicitly stating 'many' thousands.

Tens of thousands

More specific, indicating a quantity in the tens of thousands.

Hundreds of thousands

Indicates a significantly larger quantity than just 'thousands'.

Vast numbers

A more general term for large quantities but can still imply 'thousands'.

An abundance of thousands

Focuses on the plentiful nature of the thousands present.

FAQs

How can I use "thousand upon thousand" in a sentence?

Use "thousand upon thousand" to emphasize a large, indefinite number. For example, "The protest drew "thousands upon thousands" of participants."

What's a good alternative to "thousand upon thousand"?

Alternatives include "countless thousands", "innumerable thousands", or "a multitude of thousands", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it more correct to say "thousands and thousands" or "thousand upon thousand"?

Both "thousands and thousands" and "thousand upon thousand" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Thousand upon thousand" may sound slightly more literary or emphatic.

What is the difference between "thousand upon thousand" and "tens of thousands"?

"Thousand upon thousand" implies a large, vaguely defined quantity in the thousands, whereas "tens of thousands" specifically indicates a quantity of at least 10,000. The latter is more precise.