thousands of fish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thousands of fish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large quantity of fish, whether in a literal or figurative context. Example: "During our trip to the ocean, we saw thousands of fish swimming together in a vibrant display."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Fish farms are generally large underwater cages housing hundreds of thousands of fish in cramped quarters, attracting disease and lice.

Science Magazine

Thousands of fish have already died.

Independent

The pollution killed many thousands of fish.

The Guardian

"Hundreds to thousands of fish are dying every week".

The New York Times

The next year, irrigation was restored, only to have tens of thousands of fish die.

The New York Times

Looking up to the light that day, I caught my breath: thousands of fish were schooling.

The New York Times - Travel

The spread of agriculture and industrialization dealt another blow, as pesticide runoff killed thousands of fish.

The New York Times

"When you're raising thousands and thousands of fish together, you have disease spreading," Mr. Schubert said.

The New York Times

"We don't know whether the fish tank and the thousands of fish can be saved".

The New York Times

In June 2004, for example, tens of thousands of fish perished after a bout of heavy rain.

The Economist

You can see nothing from the sitting room but thousands of fish displaying themselves in the crystal-clear waters.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing ecological impacts or environmental events, use "thousands of fish" to illustrate the scale of the impact, providing a clear numerical sense of the loss or abundance. For example, "The oil spill resulted in the death of thousands of fish".

Common error

Avoid using "thousands of fish" when a more precise number is known or available. If the exact number is significantly higher (e.g., millions), use that figure instead to accurately reflect the magnitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thousands of fish" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It quantifies a large number of fish, as seen in Ludwig examples mentioning deaths or abundance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thousands of fish" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant quantity of fish. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in news, science, and travel contexts, often used to illustrate ecological impacts or highlight natural abundance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. When using "thousands of fish", consider the context and whether a more precise number is appropriate. Alternatives like "numerous fish" or "a multitude of fish" can offer slightly different shades of meaning. Remember that while the phrase is generally neutral, its impact depends on the surrounding narrative. It's important to choose the wording to accurately convey scale or importance in specific use cases. The phrase is widely recognized and understood, making it a reliable choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multitude of fish

Emphasizes a large number of fish, similar to "thousands", but uses a more literary term.

countless fish

Highlights the inability to count the fish, implying a very large number beyond thousands.

numerous fish

Indicates a large, unspecified number of fish, less specific than "thousands".

a great many fish

Similar to "numerous fish", suggesting a substantial quantity.

a large school of fish

Focuses on the group behavior of fish rather than just their quantity.

swarms of fish

Implies a dense and active gathering of fish.

hordes of fish

Suggests a large, overwhelming number of fish, possibly with negative connotations.

masses of fish

Emphasizes the bulk and collective presence of the fish.

shoals of fish

Refers specifically to fish swimming together in a coordinated manner.

abundant fish

Highlights the plentiful supply of fish in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I use "thousands of fish" in a sentence?

You can use "thousands of fish" to describe a large quantity of fish, such as in the sentence, "The coral reef is home to "thousands of fish"." It often implies a significant or impressive number.

What can I say instead of "thousands of fish"?

You can use alternatives like "numerous fish", "a multitude of fish", or "countless fish" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "thousands of fish" or "many fish"?

"Thousands of fish" is more specific and implies a larger quantity than "many fish". Use "thousands" when you want to emphasize the significant number.

What is the impact when "thousands of fish" die due to pollution?

The death of ""thousands of fish"" can have severe ecological consequences, disrupting the food chain, impacting local economies dependent on fishing, and indicating significant environmental damage. Addressing such events requires understanding the cause of the pollution and implementing effective remediation strategies.