vast crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

"vast crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large gathering of people. For example: "The stadium was filled with a vast crowd of fans ready for the big game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

None in the vast crowd cared.

The Guardian - Sport

Around the building this night a vast crowd was gathered.

The New York Times

LONDON Ideal weather brought a vast crowd to the Harvard-Yale boat races today [June 30].

The New York Times

IN 1951 Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, addressed a vast crowd on Mumbai's Chowpatty beach.

The Economist

A vast crowd numbering ten or fifteen thousand had gathered around the building.

The New York Times

Inside, Chris Thile was playing the mandolin to a vast crowd.

The Guardian

She introduced one guest to the vast crowd as "Comrade Sir Richard Attenborough".

The Guardian

Kennedy's energy was fully a match for that of the vast crowd.

The New Yorker

At Knebworth in 2003, Williams told the vast crowd: "You've watched me grow up.

The Guardian - Music

On August 27 a vast crowd assembled and proceeded to the election of the "Eight Saints of God's People".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Later, he walks naked to a balcony and "sees" a vast crowd in an empty square below.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vast crowd" to effectively convey the scale and impressiveness of a large gathering, particularly in descriptive writing and reporting.

Common error

While "vast crowd" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferable, such as specifying the number of attendees or the purpose of the gathering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast crowd" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It describes a large group of people, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples showcase its common usage in news reports and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vast crowd" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a very large gathering of people. As noted by Ludwig, its usage is common in news and media, and encyclopedias, with a neutral register. While acceptable in many contexts, more precise language may be preferable in formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "large multitude" or "huge throng" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large multitude

Emphasizes the numerous nature of the crowd.

huge throng

Highlights the density and packed nature of the crowd.

massive gathering

Focuses on the size and organized (or disorganized) nature of the assembly.

sea of faces

Uses a visual metaphor to describe the expansive nature of the crowd.

immense assembly

Stresses the grand scale of the gathering.

great concourse

Implies a coming together or flowing of people into one space.

tremendous concourse

A version of "great concourse" but with increased emphasis.

sizeable concourse

A version of "great concourse" but focused on size.

enormous turnout

Highlights the number of people who attended an event.

packed house

Indicates a venue filled to capacity with people.

FAQs

How can I use "vast crowd" in a sentence?

You can use "vast crowd" to describe a very large gathering of people. For example, "The speaker addressed a "vast crowd" in the town square."

What are some alternatives to saying "vast crowd"?

Some alternatives include "large multitude", "huge throng", or "massive gathering", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "vast crowd" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider more precise alternatives in formal writing, such as specifying the approximate number of people or the specific type of gathering.

What is the difference between "vast crowd" and "large crowd"?

"Vast crowd" implies a significantly larger number of people compared to "large crowd". "Vast" emphasizes the immense scale of the gathering.