As many as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As many as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a maximum number or quantity, often in contexts involving comparisons or statistics. Example: "The event attracted as many as 500 participants, exceeding our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As many as 10.

The New York Times - Magazine

As many as 100,000 were sold.

The New York Times - Sports

As many as forty-four people died.

The New Yorker

As many as six have been lost.

The Economist

As many as 15 people were wounded.

The New York Times

As many as 26 protesters were killed.

The New York Times

As many as 5000 names were furnished.

The New Yorker

As many as I can, ideally".

Independent

"As many as I can fit".

The New York Times

As many as four million families face foreclosure.

The New York Times

As many as possible, said the mayor.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as many as", ensure that you are referring to countable nouns. For uncountable nouns, use "as much as".

Common error

Avoid using "as many as" with uncountable nouns such as water or sand. Instead, opt for "as much as" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "As many as" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a maximum number or quantity. It's used to express that a certain number, possibly a large one, has been reached or could be reached. As Ludwig AI explains, it sets an upper limit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

35%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "As many as" is a versatile quantifier used to denote a maximum countable quantity or number. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. Remember to use it with countable nouns and consider alternatives like "up to" or "at most" for similar but nuanced meanings. This phrase serves to emphasize the scale or extent of a certain number, making it a valuable tool in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A maximum of

Formally specifies an upper bound, providing a clear and precise indication of the highest quantity.

Up to

Indicates a maximum limit or boundary, implying a range rather than a specific count like the original phrase.

At most

Emphasizes the upper limit or the greatest quantity possible, similar to the original, but with a focus on the maximum.

As much as

Used for uncountable nouns, whereas the original is for countable nouns, thus altering the application.

No more than

Highlights a restrictive aspect, suggesting a limit not to be exceeded, which carries a slightly different implication.

As great a number as

More emphatic and formal, stressing the magnitude of the number being referenced.

To the tune of

Often used in financial contexts, implying a sum or quantity that is significant.

In the neighborhood of

Suggests an approximation or estimate rather than a precise figure.

Approximately

Indicates an estimated quantity, less precise than the original phrase.

Around

Provides a rough estimate, suitable for informal contexts where exactness is not crucial.

FAQs

How do I use "As many as" in a sentence?

"As many as" is used to indicate a maximum quantity or number. For example, "The event attracted "as many as" 500 participants" shows the upper limit of attendees.

What's the difference between "As many as" and "As much as"?

"As many as" is used with countable nouns (e.g., cars, people), while "as much as" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, time). For example: "There were "as many as" 100 cars" versus "There was "as much as" 20 gallons of water".

What can I say instead of "As many as"?

You can use alternatives like "up to", "at most", or "a maximum of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "As many as possible" in formal writing?

Yes, "as many as possible" is acceptable in formal writing to express the desire to maximize the number of something, though consider more precise alternatives if exactness is needed.