vastly outnumbers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vastly outnumbers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where one group or quantity is significantly larger than another. Example: "In the recent survey, the number of participants who preferred option A vastly outnumbers those who chose option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The bird population vastly outnumbers the human one.

The New York Times

The military has captured large swaths of territory from the Tigers in the east of the country, vastly outnumbers the rebels, and is now seeking to overrun their northern stronghold.

The New York Times

These days, a person can walk into the LTPH office and, with relatively minimal effort, acquire a license to drive one of London's nearly 60,000 minicabs, a fleet that vastly outnumbers the approximately 25,000 black taxis.

The New York Times

Honour them properly for their achievements, but bear in mind that the list we should be monitoring closely is one with both genders on it, and that that list is alarmingly concrete and inflexible, because on it, as always, one gender vastly outnumbers the other.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They were directed predominantly against Muslims, whose population vastly outnumbers that of Jews in almost every country in Europe.

Huffington Post

Considering the results of this show are based on fans voting online, there must not be that many of them... or they're vastly outnumbers by his Beliebers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 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

Glial cells vastly outnumber nerve cells.

The New Yorker

Animals vastly outnumber people in Somaliland.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vastly outnumbers" to clearly convey a substantial difference in quantity or population between two groups or entities. This phrase is effective for emphasizing the scale of the disparity.

Common error

Avoid using "vastly outnumbers" when describing differences in quality or attributes. This phrase is strictly for numerical or quantifiable comparisons. For qualitative differences, use terms like "far superior" or "significantly better".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vastly outnumbers" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of one entity exceeding another in number to a great extent. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vastly outnumbers" is a grammatically sound and effective way to express a significant numerical difference between two entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s frequently used in news and scientific contexts to underscore substantial disparities. While appropriate for formal writing, its neutral register allows for use in various communication styles. Remember to reserve this phrase for quantifiable comparisons and avoid applying it to qualitative differences. Alternatives such as "greatly exceeds" or "far surpasses" can offer similar emphasis, depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vastly exceeds the number of

More elaborate and formal way of saying something vastly outnumbers something else.

greatly exceeds

Emphasizes the extent of the difference in size or number.

is far greater in number than

Emphasizes the difference in count between two entities.

far surpasses

Highlights the degree to which one thing is superior in quantity or amount.

dwarfs in number

Uses a metaphor to illustrate the significant difference in size.

significantly exceeds

Formally expresses the concept of one quantity being notably larger.

overshadows in population

Suggests the larger group is so big it obscures the other in terms of number of individuals.

is much larger than

A more direct and simple way to convey the same meaning.

is substantially greater than

A more formal and emphatic way to express a significant difference in size.

overwhelms in quantity

Implies that the larger quantity is so great it is overpowering.

FAQs

How do I use "vastly outnumbers" in a sentence?

Use "vastly outnumbers" to indicate that one group or quantity is significantly larger than another. For example, "The bird population "vastly outnumbers" the human one in Cape May Point".

What are some alternatives to "vastly outnumbers"?

Alternatives include "greatly exceeds", "far surpasses", or "significantly exceeds". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

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

Yes, "vastly outnumbers" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when precision in numerical comparison is important. It conveys a clear and strong sense of scale.

What's the difference between "vastly outnumbers" and "slightly exceeds"?

"Vastly outnumbers" indicates a significant difference in quantity, whereas "slightly exceeds" implies a marginal difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the disparity.