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Word for "many" for mass nouns

English Language & Usage Asked on August 7, 2021

I’m looking for a strong size modifier like "numerous", "countless", or "copious" that I can use to modify a mass noun. I know of plenty of options that involve several words, like "a lot of", "a huge amount of", "large quantities of", and so on, but I can’t think of any that are only a word or two.

Mass Nouns

Mass nouns, also known as uncountable nouns, are words like "rice", "water", and "bread" that can’t be described with a quantity like other (countable) nouns. I ate 4 rices or I drank several waters don’t really make sense, you have to use special modifiers like "some" and "much" (I baked so much bread the other day), but there are a lot fewer of these special modifiers.

The Ultimate Question

Does anyone know of one or two words that can fit in the following sentences to indicate A LOT:

I’ve baked ______ bread throughout my 27 years in the baker.

Wikipedia has ______ information about a myriad of topics.

3 Answers

I've baked masses of bread throughout my 27 years in the bakery.

Wikipedia has profuse or abundant information about a myriad of topics.

(do check the links for a wealth of synonyms :)

Answered by fev on August 7, 2021

The formal alternative of 'many' which can be used for mass nouns is

much,

as in

I see many dogs.

but

I see much water.

The more common and slightly informal versions works for both count and mass nouns

a lot of,

as in

I see a lot of dogs.

I see a lot of water.

There are many synonyms of these, but these are the most common.

Answered by Mitch on August 7, 2021

A few other suggestions:

considerable (Websters)

Wikipedia has considerable information about a myriad of topics.

abundant (Websters)

Wikipedia has abundant information about a myriad of topics.

tons (Webersts)

I've baked tons of bread throughout my 27 years in the baker.

extensive (Websters)

Wikipedia has extensive information about a myriad of topics.

exorbitant (Websters)

I've baked exorbitant amounts of bread throughout my 27 years in the baker.

Answered by Jim Simson on August 7, 2021

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