tons of coal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tons of coal" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a large quantity of coal, usually in a casual or informal context. Example: "The power plant burned through tons of coal each day, contributing to the city's air pollution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Each car bears 120 tons of coal.

The New York Times

The mine ships as much as 7.5 million tons of coal annually.

The New York Times

Large commercial gasifiers are capable of gasifying about 50 tons of coal per hour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Each year, the Detroit Edison plant in Monroe, Michigan, burns roughly eight million tons of coal.

The New Yorker

Under way, the liner consumed a thousand tons of coal a day.

The New Yorker

The display model includes a 70-cubic-yard bucket capable of lifting 80 tons of coal.

The New York Times

Unit trains generally carry 10,000 to 15,000 tons of coal in a single shipment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the early 21st century, the state produced about 30 million tons of coal annually.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Maximum production was reached in 1918, when nearly 200 million tons of coal were mined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By the 1680s some 180,000 tons of coal were exported annually from Sunderland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Felix produced 4.8 million tons of coal through June, keeping steady, relative to the previous year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing specific amounts, use precise numbers instead of vague terms like "tons" for clarity. For example, instead of "tons of coal", specify "3000 tons of coal".

Common error

Avoid using "tons of coal" when a more specific unit like metric tons or short tons is required for accuracy in technical or scientific contexts. Always clarify the type of ton being used to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tons of coal" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as a direct object, subject complement, or prepositional complement within a sentence. It quantifies a large amount of coal, as demonstrated by Ludwig, which validates its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tons of coal" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a large quantity of coal. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across various domains, including News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While generally neutral, specifying the precise weight unit can enhance clarity in technical contexts. The phrase serves to emphasize scale and magnitude in discussions related to coal mining, consumption, and transportation. Alternatives like "coal tonnage" and "quantity of coal" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Coal tonnage

Focuses specifically on the weight of the coal, using a more concise term.

Quantity of coal

Replaces "tons" with a more general term, emphasizing the amount rather than the specific unit.

Volume of coal

Shifts focus from weight to spatial extent or capacity.

Coal reserves

Emphasizes the amount of coal available for use, rather than coal being moved or used.

Coal output

Refers to the amount of coal produced, often within a specific timeframe.

Coal consumption

Highlights the amount of coal used, instead of simply existing.

Coal supply

Emphasizes the availability of coal for various purposes.

Coal production

Focuses on the process of extracting or manufacturing coal.

Coal shipments

Highlights the transportation of coal, rather than its quantity alone.

Coal deposits

Refers to the geological accumulation of coal in a specific area.

FAQs

How can I use "tons of coal" in a sentence?

You can use "tons of coal" to describe large quantities of coal, such as "The power plant burns thousands of "tons of coal" each year".

What are some synonyms for "tons of coal"?

Alternatives include "coal tonnage", "quantity of coal", or "volume of coal", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "tons of coal" or specify the exact weight?

For precise or technical writing, specifying the exact weight is better. However, ""tons of coal"" is acceptable in general or informal contexts.

What does "tons of coal" typically refer to?

"Tons of coal" generally refers to a large quantity of coal, often measured in short tons, long tons, or metric tons, depending on the region and industry.