tons

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tons" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large quantity of something (e.g. "She had tons of books in her library" or "I have tons of work to do this week").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would have to dilute or export at least eight tons of low-enriched uranium, leaving it with only 300 kg.

The Guardian

But the "jam and Jerusalem" moniker – a reference to the 5,300 tons of fruit the WI preserved during the second world war and the fact that many groups would sing Jerusalem at their meetings – has stuck.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The deal outlined cash payments for 720,000 tons of fuel oil to Syria in monthly shipments, the paper said: Iraq offered Syria a discount of 50% below the market price, plus a $5 discount per metric ton, according to the contract.

The Guardian

Two tons of stone hurtled between Janet and me.

The Guardian - Travel

Speaking to the Guardian as he was about to board another plane, Gunness said150 metric tons of aid was being flown to Jordan from where the agency hopes it will then be driven to Gaza.

The Guardian

Both are drawn from reviews in the Sunday Times by Waldemar Januszczak: "Rothko's problem… is the dark myth that he allowed to emerge around him while he was alive… This tremulous Rothko story line presents him as the Melancholy Martyr of Modernism, a deeply pessimistic presence whose painted fogs sag, paradoxically, with tons of heavyweight spirituality… His suicide topped it all off splendidly.

The Guardian

A horse that could haul maybe a couple of tons on a good road could pull more than 20 times that along the canal.

The Guardian - Travel

The Climate Observatory's assessment for an equity-based 2030 climate target suggests that Brazilian non-land use emissions should peak well before 2025, and overall emissions should decline to significantly less than 1bn tons of CO2 equivalent per year by 2030.

The Guardian

She quickly and confidently ramped up production, from 100 tons per year to over 1,000.

The Guardian

Uzbekistan reaped 3.4 million tons of cotton this year, President Islam Karimov said in October in a gushing message of thanks to Uzbekistan's cotton farmers for their "difficult and diligent labour".

The Guardian

They are quiet, have tons of character and give you a glimpse of what it's really like to live in Venice.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tons" to indicate a large, unspecified quantity of something, especially in informal contexts. Be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required.

Common error

Avoid using "tons" in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "a significant amount", "a large quantity" or "extensive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tons" primarily functions as a plural noun or an informal quantifier, indicating a large quantity of something. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its prevalent use in describing abundance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Travel

11%

Music

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tons" is a versatile term, functioning both as a plural noun referring to weight and as an informal quantifier signifying a large amount. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and most frequently used in news, travel, and music contexts. While perfectly acceptable in informal communication, it should be used cautiously in formal writing, where more precise alternatives are preferred. Remember that while "tons" effectively conveys abundance, context dictates whether a more formal term might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plenty of

Indicates that there is more than enough of something, suggesting sufficiency and availability.

a large quantity

Highlights the amount involved, suitable where precision about quantity is less crucial.

loads of

Suggests a significant quantity, commonly used in informal and conversational settings.

a great deal

Emphasizes the abundance, focusing on the extent or degree of something, suitable in formal contexts.

masses of

Indicates a large number or amount of something, often used to describe crowds or physical quantities.

a wealth of

Highlights the abundance and richness of something, suitable for describing resources or qualities.

a plethora

Refers to an overabundance or excessive amount, indicating a surplus or lavish supply.

a mountain of

Emphasizes the sheer size and volume, often used metaphorically to describe overwhelming tasks or amounts.

oodles of

Suggests a generous or plentiful supply, common in more informal and casual contexts.

umpteen

Indicates a very large, indefinite number, common in informal speech.

FAQs

What does "tons" mean?

The word "tons" can refer to a unit of weight, but it's also commonly used to mean a large amount or quantity of something.

How can I use "tons" in a sentence?

You can use "tons" to describe a large quantity. For example: "I have "tons" of work to do" or "There are "tons" of reasons to be happy."

What can I say instead of "tons"?

You can use alternatives like "a lot of", "loads of", or "plenty of depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "tons" in formal writing?

While "tons" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate to use more formal alternatives like "a significant amount" or "a large quantity" in academic or professional contexts.