vast database

USAGE SUMMARY

"vast database" is an appropriate term for written English.
You can use it when referring to an extensive amount of information stored in an organized system or repository. For example: "The organization has access to a vast database of customer data, which helps them make informed decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 2014, Chinese hackers copied a vast database from the Office of Personnel Management.

The New Yorker

Mr. Obama has spoken on college campuses for months, acquiring a vast database of potential volunteers.

The New York Times

Over time, it plans to let users stumble through eBay's vast database of items up for auction.

The New York Times - Tech

What frustrates critics is that the government has yet to produce convincing evidence for why it needs this vast database.

The Guardian - Opinion

All that has been incorporated into a vast database, where evidence may be retrieved for other trials.

The New York Times

The book is simply added to a vast database, with pennies paid if anyone ever orders it.

The Guardian - Books

But the vast database of records the N.S.A. collects can say far more than a phone conversation.

The New Yorker

Their work is based on a vast database of voting patterns that the two authors have maintained for years.

The New York Times

Amazon now has a vast database of customers' preferences and buying patterns, tied to their e-mail and postal addresses.

The Economist

This vast database contains personal details of more than 2.2 million completely innocent people stopped by the police since 2004.

The New York Times

One of its projects is "Bullipedia", a comprehensive history of Western cooking and a vast database of recipes and ingredients.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vast database", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of data it contains and its purpose. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "vast database" if the dataset is relatively small or its size is not particularly significant to the discussion. Opt for more precise terms like "extensive database" or "detailed dataset" if the dataset size isn't the primary focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast database" primarily functions as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "vast" qualifies the noun "database". This is consistent with Ludwig's examples, where it describes the large scale of information repositories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vast database" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe a data collection of significant size and scope. As highlighted by Ludwig, its primary function is to modify a noun, emphasizing the scale of the data. Commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, the phrase serves to underscore the comprehensive nature of the information repository. When using "vast database", ensure that the term accurately reflects the size and complexity of the dataset to maintain precision and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive data repository

Focuses on the repository aspect, emphasizing storage.

comprehensive dataset

Highlights the completeness of the data.

large-scale data store

Emphasizes the physical or virtual space used for storage.

massive information collection

Underscores the sheer size of the information gathered.

extensive collection of data

Rephrases the idea using a different structure and synonyms.

comprehensive digital archive

Highlights archival nature and its digital format.

immense compilation of data

Highlights the act of compiling and the large scale.

substantial data warehouse

Emphasizes the warehousing and organized storage of the data.

gigantic data reservoir

Uses a more metaphorical term to describe the scale of the data.

broad data bank

Uses the term 'bank' to represent organized storage.

FAQs

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

You can use "vast database" to describe a large collection of organized data, as in: "The researchers analyzed a "vast database" of patient records to identify potential risk factors."

What are some alternatives to "vast database"?

Alternatives include "extensive data repository", "comprehensive dataset", or "large-scale data store", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "vast database" is appropriate for formal writing when accurately describing a large and complex dataset. Ensure the usage aligns with the context and maintains a professional tone.

What makes a database qualify as "vast"?

A database is considered "vast" when its size is notably large relative to other similar datasets. The term implies substantial scope and complexity, often requiring significant resources to manage and analyze.