in groten getale

Dutch

Pronunciation

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Prepositional phrase

in groten getale

1. (idiomatic) in droves, in large numbers

Usage notes

• Unlike its antonyms in kleinen getale and in geringen getale, this phrase with its vestigial dative singular case forms remains in current use in Dutch.
• The comparative (in groteren getale) and superlative (in grootsten getale) forms are (especially today) far more rare than the positive form.
• The phrase is sometimes altered by people misunderstanding the singular dative case forms to in grote getallen, however this is commonly considered incorrect. (In grote aantallen would however be correct.)