a good number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good number of" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to a significant but unspecified amount of something. For example, "A good number of people attended the concert last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There were a good number of writers.

The Guardian - Books

"Today a good number of immigrants are from eastern Europe..

The Guardian - Books

A good number of these people are especially irked.

The New York Times

As well as a good number of other bloggers too).

The Guardian - Sport

But, like a good number of others, he voted anyway.

The New York Times

There are, of course, a good number of weekenders.

The New York Times

And for a good number of them it did.

The New York Times - Books

Publicity has also drawn a good number of weekend warriors.

The New York Times - Sports

"I guarantee there will be a good number of debates.

The New York Times

"That means there are a good number of farmers who are of retirement age".

The New York Times

I bowed my head in a good number of swing-state churches in 2004.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a good number of" when you want to indicate that there is a significant quantity, but you don't need to specify the exact amount. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on phrases like "a good number of" without providing more specific details when possible. While it's acceptable in general communication, be ready to offer a specific range or percentage to improve clarity and impact, particularly in analytical or technical writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good number of" functions as a determiner or quantifier, specifying an indefinite but significant quantity. It modifies a noun to indicate that there is a notable amount, as supported by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a good number of" is a common and acceptable way to express a significant but unspecified quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required and the need for more precise language in technical writing. Alternatives such as "several", "numerous", or "a considerable amount of" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, the phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant quantity of

Replaces "good number" with a more formal term for quantity, emphasizing the importance of the amount.

a considerable amount of

Substitutes "good number" with "considerable amount", suggesting the quantity is worthy of attention.

a substantial quantity of

Uses "substantial quantity" instead of "a good number", implying the amount is large and important.

a fair amount of

Replaces "good number" with "fair amount", indicating the quantity is reasonable or acceptable.

a decent quantity of

Swaps "good number" with "decent quantity", suggesting the amount is adequate or satisfactory.

several

Provides a shorter alternative, indicating more than two but not many.

numerous

Offers a more formal substitute, highlighting the abundance of something.

quite a few

Provides a slightly more informal alternative, suggesting a reasonable quantity.

a quantity of

A more generic substitution, simply indicating an unspecified amount.

many

A simpler alternative that still conveys a large but unspecified quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good number of" to indicate a significant but unspecified quantity. For example, "A good number of students attended the lecture."

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

Alternatives include "several", "numerous", "a considerable amount of", or "quite a few". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it appropriate to use "a good number of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a good number of" is generally acceptable in formal writing, though more precise language may be preferred when specific figures are available.

What's the difference between "a good number of" and "many"?

While both indicate a large quantity, "a good number of" often suggests a quantity that is notably significant or pleasing, whereas "many" is a more general term for a large quantity.