tons of ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tons of ice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity of ice, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "After the storm, we found tons of ice covering the entire driveway, making it difficult to get the car out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Greenland Ice Cap Production mines about 2,000 tons of ice a year near Narsaq.

The New York Times

Just in the past four years, more than a trillion tons of ice have been lost.

The New Yorker

Each year, Greenland loses 270 billion tons of ice as the planet warms.

The New York Times

Going by PIOMAS's numbers, the losses represent more than 10 trillion tons of ice.

The Washington Post

Altogether, this comes to about 1 trillion tons of ice loss over the four-year period.

The Washington Post

Since 1961, the world has lost 10 trillion tons of ice and snow.

The Washington Post

From 1992 through 1997, Antarctica lost 49 billion tons of ice annually.

The Washington Post

Mercury's craters may hold as much as a trillion tons of ice, according to data gathered by NASA's MESSENGER mission.

Columbia University

He imported tons of ice from local ponds and refrigeration plants and spread it on the hill with a bulldozer".

The New York Times

Meanwhile, according to NASA, the Antarctic ice sheet is currently losing 127 billion tons of ice each year.

The Washington Post

Chefs who specialize in ice carving will create the New York skyline from 12 tons of ice.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tons of ice" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a specific, measurable amount or a general large quantity. For example, "The construction required 500 "tons of ice" for the ice hotel", versus "After the storm, there were "tons of ice" on the roads".

Common error

Avoid using "tons of ice" in contexts where precision is required. While acceptable for general descriptions, it's not suitable for scientific reports needing exact measurements. In such cases, use specific units like metric tons or cubic meters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tons of ice" functions primarily as a noun phrase, quantifying a large amount of ice. It is commonly used to describe both specific amounts, as seen in examples about ice sculptures, and general quantities, as demonstrated by Ludwig in contexts of climate change and weather events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

29%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tons of ice" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a large quantity of ice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news and academic contexts, conveying scale and magnitude, although it is rarely used in formal business settings. While versatile, it's important to consider the appropriate level of precision for your writing. For scientific or technical contexts, use more specific measurements, while for general descriptions, "tons of ice" serves as an effective way to highlight the considerable amount of ice involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

metric tons of ice

Specifies the measurement unit for the quantity of ice.

large quantity of ice

Replaces "tons" with a more formal phrase for quantity.

massive amount of ice

Substitutes "tons" with "massive amount" to emphasize the size.

significant volume of ice

Focuses on the volumetric aspect of the ice.

substantial ice accumulation

Highlights the accumulated nature of the ice.

considerable ice mass

Emphasizes the weight and size of the ice.

vast expanse of ice

Describes the extensive area covered by ice.

huge ice deposit

Highlights the deposited nature of the ice.

icebergs by the ton

Emphasizes how icebergs are measured.

massive ice sheets

Highlights the type of ice accumulation instead of the quantity.

FAQs

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

"Tons of ice" is used to describe a large quantity of ice. For example, "The winter storm left "tons of ice" on the trees" or "The ice sculpture required "tons of ice" to create".

What can I say instead of "tons of ice"?

You can use alternatives like "large quantity of ice", "massive amount of ice", or "significant volume of ice" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "tons of ice" or "ton of ice"?

"Tons of ice" is used to describe a large amount in plural, while "ton of ice" refers to a specific weight measurement. Choose the correct form based on your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "tons of ice" and "icebergs"?

"Tons of ice" is a general term for a large quantity of ice, while "icebergs" refers specifically to large floating masses of ice detached from glaciers or ice sheets. "Tons of ice" can refer to any form of ice, not just icebergs.