Significant number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Significant number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a large quantity or amount of something, often in statistical or analytical contexts. Example: "A significant number of participants reported an increase in satisfaction after the program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Significant number of medical errors.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

A significant number of people react negatively.

The Guardian - Opinion

A significant number of the protesters could be city employees.

The New York Times

But a significant number of the coaches are.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the review enraged a significant number of people.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he's missed a significant number of games already.

The New York Times - Sports

Molenbeek would have supplied a significant number of them.

The Guardian

A significant number of prisoners suffer from a psychotic disorders.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We still expect to deliver a significant number of staff".

The Guardian

"Obviously there are a significant number of legal consequences.

The Guardian

A significant number of claims are overturned on review.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always consider if a more precise quantifier (e.g. "more than half", "nearly 75%", "over 2000") would provide better clarity and impact for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "significant number of" when the actual number is small or its importance is questionable. Inflating the significance can weaken your argument and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant number of" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate that a particular amount or quantity is noteworthy or important. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant number of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a noteworthy quantity or amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correct and frequent usage spans across diverse domains, including news, science, and formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes why the quantity is considered significant and avoid overstating its importance. Consider alternatives like "substantial quantity of" or "considerable amount of" to fine-tune your intended meaning and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial quantity of

Emphasizes the amount is considerable and important.

considerable amount of

Highlights that the amount is large enough to be worthy of attention.

large proportion of

Focuses on the fraction or percentage that is substantial.

sizable quantity of

Indicates that the quantity is notably large.

appreciable amount of

Suggests the amount is sufficient to be noticed or have an effect.

notable number of

Highlights that the number is worth mentioning or is remarkable.

marked quantity of

Implies the quantity is clearly noticeable or distinct.

a good deal of

More informal, suggesting a large amount but less precise.

a great quantity of

Similar to "a good deal of" but slightly more formal.

meaningful amount of

Emphasizes that the quantity is relevant or has importance.

FAQs

How can I use "significant number of" in a sentence?

You can use "significant number of" to describe a quantity that is noteworthy or important. For example: "A "significant number of" students reported feeling stressed during exams."

What are some alternatives to "significant number of"?

Alternatives include "substantial quantity of", "considerable amount of", or "large proportion of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use a specific number instead of "significant number of"?

Using a specific number is often preferable for clarity. However, "significant number of" can be useful when the exact number is unknown or less important than the fact that it's a considerable quantity.

What does "significant number of" imply about the quantity?

It implies that the quantity is large enough to be relevant, noteworthy, or have an impact. It suggests the number is not trivial or negligible.