a considerable number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a considerable number of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can generally be used to indicate a large but unspecified amount of something. For example, "A considerable number of mistakes were made during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A considerable number of women stop.

The Guardian

There have already been a considerable number of trades.

The New York Times - Sports

"The authority is doing a considerable number of things wrong.

The Guardian

Postpartum Depression affects a considerable number of women worldwide.

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications

Such inquiries had produced a considerable number of names, the official added.

The New York Times

"The general public gave us a considerable number of seats," Mr. Kan said.

The New York Times

He served as head of department and on a considerable number of outside bodies.

The Guardian

"A considerable number of people travel with dogs," Mr. Douponce said.

The New York Times

"A considerable number of people are being fooled, including the United States".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Since the 1990s, a considerable number of barley/H.

Molecular Plant

But a considerable number of these international students will do everything possible to stay right here.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable number of" when you want to emphasize that the quantity is large enough to be noteworthy, but without specifying an exact figure. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "amount" with countable nouns. "Number" should be used for countable items, while "amount" is for uncountable quantities. Instead of "a considerable amount of people", use "a considerable number of people".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is both large and noteworthy. Ludwig provides examples showing its use across different fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

31%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable number of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a noteworthy quantity of countable items. It's deemed grammatically correct and very common across various domains like news, science, and academia according to Ludwig. While alternatives like "a significant amount of" exist, it's crucial to use "number" with countable nouns, not "amount". Remember that while similar to "a large number of", it subtly implies significance beyond mere quantity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant amount of

Changes "number" to "amount" and "considerable" to "significant", focusing on quantity rather than count.

a large quantity of

Emphasizes the substantial quantity using "large" instead of "considerable".

a substantial portion of

Shifts focus to the proportional aspect, using "portion" instead of "number".

numerous instances of

Replaces "number" with "instances", highlighting occurrences rather than a numerical quantity.

many examples of

Focuses on the presence of multiple examples, reducing the emphasis on the precise quantity.

a good deal of

Uses a more informal expression to indicate a large quantity.

a high volume of

Highlights the high volume, suitable for countable and uncountable things.

a great many

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the meaning of a large quantity.

quite a few

An informal equivalent suggesting a notable quantity, less formal than the original.

a multitude of

Emphasizes the vastness of the quantity using "multitude".

FAQs

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

Use "a considerable number of" to indicate a large but unspecified quantity of countable items. For example, "A considerable number of students attended the lecture."

What are some alternatives to "a considerable number of"?

You can use phrases like "a significant amount of", "numerous instances of", or "many examples of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a considerable amount of" when referring to people?

No, it's generally not correct. Use "a considerable number of" when referring to countable items like people. "Amount" is typically used for uncountable nouns.

What is the difference between "a considerable number of" and "a large number of"?

Both phrases indicate a large quantity, but "a considerable number of" may imply that the quantity is significant or noteworthy in some way, whereas "a large number of" simply states that there are many.