tonnes of

USAGE SUMMARY

"tonnes of" is an acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it in order to refer to a large amount or number of something. For example, "We collected tonnes of donations for the charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's 3.7bn tonnes of CO2-e.

The Guardian

Roughly 190m tonnes of that are exported.

The Economist

Tonnes of the stuff.

The Guardian - Books

Get tonnes of them.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Tonnes of pyro.

The Guardian

296 tonnes of French truffles.

The Guardian

If you have 1000 tonnes of devices, Africans will buy 150 tonnes of them.

University of California, Berkeley

Tonnes of land shifted, moved, dropped.

The Guardian - Books

He collects stuff – tonnes of it.

The Guardian - Travel

It carried 2.4 tonnes of cargo.

The Guardian

equivalent to 18 tonnes of milk.

Journal of Biotechnology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tonnes of" to emphasize a large quantity or amount, particularly when referring to weight or volume. This phrase can add impact and vividness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "tonnes of" in highly formal or technical contexts where a more precise measurement or descriptive term is required. Opt for specific quantities or more neutral language to maintain accuracy and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tonnes of" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a large quantity or amount of something, measured in metric tons. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable in written English and is commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tonnes of" is a widely used phrase that serves to emphasize a substantial quantity, measured in metric tons. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly found across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media. While its usage is generally neutral, leaning towards informal, it's crucial to consider the context and opt for more precise language in highly formal or technical writing. Remember to use "tonnes of" to effectively convey a sense of scale while maintaining contextual appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large amount of

This phrase is a more formal and neutral alternative.

a great deal of

This phrase is a more general way to indicate a large quantity.

significant quantities of

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the importance of the quantity.

plenty of

This phrase implies that there is more than enough of something.

a mountain of

This phrase emphasizes the large size or volume of something.

a wealth of

This phrase suggests an abundance of something valuable or desirable.

masses of

This phrase indicates a large number or amount, often referring to people or things.

loads of

A colloquial term to indicate a large amount.

a plethora of

A more sophisticated way of saying "many".

oodles of

This is a more informal and playful way to express a large quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "tonnes of" in a sentence?

You can use "tonnes of" to describe a large quantity of something, like "The factory produces "tonnes of" waste each year".

What are some alternatives to "tonnes of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a great deal of", "a large amount of", or "plenty of".

Is it appropriate to use "tonnes of" in formal writing?

While "tonnes of" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal or journalistic writing. For formal contexts, consider using more precise measurements or alternatives like "significant quantities of".

What is the difference between "tonnes of" and "tons of"?

"Tonnes of" refers to metric tons (1,000 kilograms), while "tons of" typically refers to short tons (907.185 kilograms) or long tons (1,016 kilograms). Be mindful of the specific unit of measurement to ensure accuracy.