a growing number

USAGE SUMMARY

"a growing number" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to an increasing or expanding number of something. You can use it to describe a trend or phenomenon that is occurring over time. Example: "In recent years, there has been a growing number of people choosing to live a vegan lifestyle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A growing number of people believe him.

The New York Times - Tech

A growing number seem to agree.

The Economist

A growing number of services provide this.

The Economist

There's a growing number of others.

The New York Times

A growing number of homes were abandoned.

The Washington Post

A growing number of British M.P.s don't.

The New York Times

A growing number are providing confidential counseling services.

Stanford University

A growing number of police chiefs are making that point.

The Guardian

And why are a growing number of Muslims being victimised?

The Guardian - Opinion

A growing number of consumers are paying just that — nothing.

The New York Times - Tech

A growing number of consumers appear to share his interest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a growing number", ensure the noun it modifies is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "a growing number of students" instead of just "a growing number."

Common error

Avoid using "a growing number" with uncountable nouns. Instead of "a growing number of water", use "a growing amount of water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a growing number" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It indicates an increasing quantity or amount of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and frequently employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a growing number" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote an increase in quantity. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and academic writing, make it a reliable choice. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the noun it modifies and avoiding its use with uncountable nouns. Remember that "a growing number" signals a trend of increase, distinguishing it from phrases that simply indicate a large quantity. Ludwig examples further highlight its frequent usage across multiple reliable resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An increasing quantity

Replaces 'number' with 'quantity', which is suitable for uncountable nouns or a general sense of amount.

A rising amount

Substitutes 'growing' with 'rising' and 'number' with 'amount', altering the emphasis slightly toward magnitude.

A burgeoning quantity

Replaces "growing" with "burgeoning" for a more emphatic sense of rapid expansion.

An expanding count

Uses 'expanding' in place of 'growing' and 'count' instead of 'number', focusing on the act of enumeration.

A proliferating incidence

Changes 'growing' to 'proliferating' and 'number' to 'incidence', highlighting a spreading occurrence.

A swift escalation

Replaces "growing" and "number" with words that represent rapid increase or intensification.

A marked increase

Emphasizes that the growth is significant and noticeable.

A significant uptrend

Highlights an increase in the form of a pattern or tendency.

A steady climb

Implies a gradual and consistent increase.

An amplified presence

Focuses on the increased visibility or impact rather than a numerical increase.

FAQs

How can I use "a growing number" in a sentence?

Use "a growing number" to indicate an increasing quantity of something. For instance, "A growing number of students are enrolling in online courses."

What are some alternatives to "a growing number"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an increasing amount", "a rising number", or "an expanding count", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a growing number of population"?

While commonly used, it's more precise to say "a growing number of people" or "a growing population". Population itself implies a count of people, so using "number" can be redundant.

What's the difference between "a growing number" and "a large number"?

"A large number" indicates a significant quantity at a specific point in time, while "a growing number" suggests an increase in quantity over time. For example, "There are a large number of cars on the road today" versus "A growing number of people are using electric vehicles."