thousand upon thousands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thousand upon thousands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a large, indefinite number of thousands, often in a poetic or dramatic context. Example: "The festival attracted thousand upon thousands of visitors, filling the streets with joy and celebration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Thousand upon thousands of people have seen their homes buried under water.

The New York Times

Madrigal describes the mad rush that followed: "There was a full-on frenzy as thousand upon thousands of tweets poured out, many celebrating new media's victory in trouncing old media.

The New Yorker

Dozens of applications, hundreds of promo codes, and thousand upon thousands of entries later – that's all, folks… or is it?

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Three additional competencies (3rd, 5th and 10th tasks below) were tested based on national needs.

BMC Medical Education

Upon formation, the division drew its personnel from all Australian states and consisted of three four-battalion infantry brigades the 9th, 10th and the 11th and a number of supporting elements including engineers, artillery and medical personnel.

Wikipedia

The process is illustrated in Fig. 2. The four figures show the 5th, 9th, 13th and 17th iterations.

Mathematics-in-Industry Case Studies

Upon formation it consisted of three four-battalion brigades the 4th Brigade, 10th Brigade and 15th Brigade and various supporting units including artillery, engineers, signals, transport and medical.

Wikipedia

Twelve East 41st Street".

The New York Times

No, five", March 1st).

The Economist

Students were divided into three groups (1st-3rd, 4th-6th and 7th-9th) by grade.

BMC Oral Health

If all items suppressed absolute factor loading less than 0.35, factor I comprised 13 items (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 24th and 28th item), factor II comprised 7 items (7th, 8th, 9th, 17th, 23rd, 30th and 31st item), and factor III comprised four items (21st, 25th, 26th and 27th item).

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thousand upon thousands" to add emphasis and a slightly poetic or dramatic tone when describing a very large number. This phrase works best in contexts where precise numbers are not necessary, and the goal is to convey a sense of overwhelming quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "thousand upon thousands" in formal or technical writing where precise figures are expected. Opt for more specific numerical expressions or alternatives like "numerous thousands" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thousand upon thousands" functions as a quantifier, specifically an emphatic expression used to denote a very large, unspecified number. As noted by Ludwig AI, it serves to highlight the immensity of the quantity rather than provide a precise count.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thousand upon thousands" serves as a quantifier used to emphasize a very large, unspecified number. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it is used to convey a sense of awe or abundance rather than precise quantification. While grammatically sound, the phrase leans towards a neutral or slightly informal register, making it suitable for descriptive writing but less so for formal or technical contexts. Consider alternatives like "myriad thousands" or "countless thousands" for a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

myriad thousands

Replaces "upon" with "myriad" for a more concise expression of numerous thousands.

countless thousands

Uses "countless" to highlight the inability to count the large number of thousands.

innumerable thousands

Emphasizes the vast quantity of thousands that are too many to count.

uncountable thousands

Similar to "innumerable", stressing the impracticality of counting the thousands.

masses of thousands

Uses "masses" to suggest a large, aggregated quantity of thousands.

a multitude of thousands

Replaces repetition with "a multitude", indicating a great number of thousands.

large numbers of thousands

More descriptive, using "large numbers" to specify the quantity of thousands.

a great many thousands

Uses "a great many" to express a significant quantity of thousands.

scores of thousands

Uses "scores" which, though less common, implies a substantial quantity of thousands.

substantial thousands

Highlights that the amount of thousands is significant and considerable.

FAQs

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

Employ "thousand upon thousands" to emphasize an immense quantity when a specific number isn't crucial. For example, "The concert attracted "countless numbers" of fans, with thousand upon thousands flocking to the stadium."

What are some alternatives to "thousand upon thousands" for expressing a large quantity?

Consider alternatives like "myriad thousands", "countless thousands", or "innumerable thousands". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey regarding the vastness of the number.

Is it grammatically correct to say "thousand upon thousands", or should I use a different construction?

Yes, "thousand upon thousands" is grammatically correct and functions as an emphatic way to express a large quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Other options include "thousands and thousands".

In what types of writing is "thousand upon thousands" most appropriate?

"Thousand upon thousands" is most suitable for descriptive or narrative writing where a sense of drama or poetic emphasis is desired. Avoid using it in formal reports or technical documents where precision is key.