vast number

USAGE SUMMARY

"vast number" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a large quantity or amount of something. For example, "A vast number of people gathered in the town square to watch the parade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They represent a vast number of users of Kerberos.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A vast number of people depend on film and TV.

The Guardian - Film

Dawn Ades analyses a vast number of individual paintings.

The Guardian - Books

"Pickle," beloved by a vast number of family and friends.

The New York Times

There are a vast number of less populous groups.

Britannica

That's a vast number of children we're still letting down.

The Guardian - Opinion

This vast number of trees and parks, you know?

Independent

Simple fixed-point iterations call for a vast number of cycles.

Journal of Computational Physics

How to make sense out of this vast number of existing and possible structures?

Chemical Engineering Science

Viruses are intracellular pathogens responsible for a vast number of human diseases.

Stanford University

That logic would invalidate a vast number of the procedures employed by the administrative state.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vast number" when you want to emphasize the largeness of a quantity, implying it is impressively or surprisingly big. For example, "A vast number of stars are visible on a clear night."

Common error

Avoid using "vast number" in every context where a quantity is mentioned. Vary your language with more precise terms or alternative phrases like "significant quantity" or "substantial amount" to maintain clarity and avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast number" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a large quantity. It serves to emphasize the abundance or multitude of something, drawing attention to its scale. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vast number" is a versatile phrase used to denote a significantly large quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While "vast number" is appropriate for many situations, it's important to avoid overusing it and consider more precise alternatives when possible, such as "large quantity" or "substantial amount", to maintain clarity and prevent repetition. Remember, the goal is to effectively convey the scale of what you're describing while keeping your language engaging and varied. When you want to emphasize that an amount is surprisingly or impressively big, "vast number" is a strong choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large quantity

Emphasizes the amount of something in a general way.

great amount

Similar to "large quantity", but focuses on the extent or degree.

significant quantity

Highlights the importance or impact of the amount.

substantial amount

Indicates a considerable and noteworthy quantity.

considerable number

Similar to "substantial amount", suggesting a notable quantity.

huge quantity

Suggests a very large and impressive amount.

immense quantity

Emphasizes the enormous size or extent of the amount.

large volume

Focuses on the space occupied by the quantity.

mass quantity

Suggests a large and undifferentiated amount.

abundance

Implies a plentiful and overflowing amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "vast number" to describe a large quantity of something, for example, "A "vast number" of books were donated to the library."

What are some alternatives to "vast number"?

Some alternatives include "large quantity", "great amount", or "substantial amount". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "vast number" formal or informal?

"Vast number" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "vast number" and "large number"?

"Vast number" emphasizes the impressive size of the quantity, while "large number" is more general. "Vast" implies something surprisingly or remarkably big.