a different number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a different number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to varying quantities or counts of items or elements in a comparison or discussion. Example: "In the experiment, we observed a different number of participants in each trial, which affected the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But a different number of neutrons may mean that the nucleus is unstable and will therefore decay.

The Guardian

After all, an alien's just a friend you haven't met, possibly with a different number of eyes.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A hot Vanilla Latte gets a different number of pumps — they say it's five, others do six".

The New York Times

(The pole also carries antennae for Verizon Communications and Nextel, each of which carries a different number of calls).

The New York Times

"Each month has a different number of hours.

TechCrunch

They failed after a different number of forging strokes.

Engineering Failure Analysis

b Classification error rate under a different number of customers.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

b Clustering error rate under a different number of customers.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Three experiments including a different number of images were performed.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Each line represents a different number of microphones.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Each time, a different number of spikes was generated.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a different number of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being counted and why the difference is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "a different number of" if the difference in quantity is trivial or irrelevant to the overall point. Focus on meaningful variations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a different number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a varying quantity. As stated by Ludwig AI, it's used when referring to varying counts in a comparison.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a different number of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate variations in quantity across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related sources, this phrase effectively communicates that the count or amount of something differs from one situation to another. When using "a different number of", clarity is key, ensuring the context makes clear what is being counted and if the difference matters. Related phrases like "a disparate number of" and "a varying quantity of" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a disparate number of

Emphasizes the distinct and unequal nature of the numbers.

a varying quantity of

Focuses on the fluctuating amount or measure of something.

a diverse range of counts

Highlights the wide spectrum of numerical values.

a dissimilar amount of

Stresses the lack of resemblance in quantity.

an alternative count of

Indicates a separate or substitute calculation.

a distinct quantity of

Emphasizes the unique and separate nature of the amount.

a changeable amount of

Implies that the quantity is subject to modification.

a contrasting measure of

Highlights the differences in scale or proportion.

a shifting quantity of

Suggests that the number is not fixed but is in flux.

a deviating amount of

Implies that the quantity differs from a standard or expected value.

FAQs

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

Use "a different number of" to indicate that the quantity or count of something varies. For example, "Each month has "a different number of days"."

What's a good alternative to "a different number of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a varying amount of", "a disparate number of", or "an alternative count of".

Is it correct to say "a different amount of" instead of "a different number of"?

While "a different number of" is generally used for countable items, "a different amount of" is used for uncountable substances. However, in many contexts, "a different number of" might be the more precise choice.

How does "a different number of" compare to "several" or "various"?

"A different number of" explicitly highlights a variation or contrast in quantity, whereas "several" and "various" simply indicate more than one or a range without emphasizing the difference.