vastly outnumbered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vastly outnumbered" is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which one group of things, people, or creatures greatly outnumbers another. For example: "The rebels were vastly outnumbered by the government troops."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As usual, journalists vastly outnumbered the delegates.

The New York Times

History has left them vastly outnumbered.

The New York Times

These groups, however, were vastly outnumbered.

The New York Times

The peacekeepers were vastly outnumbered by the Lou Nuer marauders.

The New York Times

But his critics are vastly outnumbered by his admirers.

The New York Times - Magazine

And such flaws are vastly outnumbered by the software's strengths.

The New York Times - Tech

Younger residents, many of whom supported consolidation but were vastly outnumbered, were left grumbling among themselves.

The New York Times

The police were vastly outnumbered and were unable to stop the growing violence.

The New York Times

As the seats started filling up, it became clear that denim people vastly outnumbered fur people.

The New Yorker

Ramsey led 27 vastly outnumbered riders against hundreds of Japanese troops.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they are vastly outnumbered by those who are making claims against BP for business losses.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vastly outnumbered", ensure the context clearly defines both groups being compared to highlight the disparity effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "vastly outnumbered" when the difference is only slight; reserve it for situations where the numerical difference is truly significant to maintain accuracy and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vastly outnumbered" functions as a descriptive verb phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is significantly smaller in number than another group. As stated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vastly outnumbered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a situation where one group is significantly smaller in number than another. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. It is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and other forms of media, serving to emphasize a numerical disadvantage. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines both groups being compared to highlight the disparity effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far outnumbered

Similar to "vastly", but with a slightly less formal tone.

largely outnumbered

Expresses a sizebale difference in numerical superiority.

heavily outnumbered

Uses "heavily" to describe the extent of being outnumbered, implying a substantial disadvantage.

substantially outnumbered

Uses "substantially" to express a considerable difference in quantity.

significantly outnumbered

Replaces "vastly" with "significantly", indicating a notable but potentially less extreme difference in numbers.

massively outnumbered

Emphasizes the large scale of the numerical difference.

extremely outnumbered

Replaces "vastly" with "extremely", increasing the intensity of difference in numbers.

greatly exceeded in number

Focuses on exceeding in number, emphasizing the larger quantity of one group compared to another.

outnumbered by a large margin

Expresses the difference in a more descriptive manner, emphasizing the 'large margin'.

overwhelmed by numbers

Shifts the focus to the feeling of being overwhelmed due to the greater numbers of the opposing side.

FAQs

How can I use "vastly outnumbered" in a sentence?

You can use "vastly outnumbered" to describe a situation where one group is significantly smaller in number than another. For example, "The protesters were "vastly outnumbered" by the police officers".

What are some alternatives to "vastly outnumbered"?

Alternatives include "greatly exceeded in number", "heavily outnumbered", or "far outnumbered", which all convey a similar meaning of a significant numerical disadvantage.

Is it appropriate to use "vastly outnumbered" in formal writing?

Yes, "vastly outnumbered" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider the specific context and choose the phrasing that best fits the tone and style of your writing.

What's the difference between "vastly outnumbered" and "slightly outnumbered"?

"Vastly outnumbered" implies a large numerical difference, while "slightly outnumbered" indicates a small difference. The choice depends on the actual numerical disparity you wish to convey.