a higher number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a higher number of" is indeed correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you wish to describe that a quantity or amount is greater than it was previously. For example, "The researchers observed a higher number of positive responses in the second survey than in the first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are seeing a higher number of returning staff.

The New York Times

Darker shades indicate a higher number of flights.

The Washington Post

First, PD resulted in a higher number of fast errors.

Neuropsychologia

"That's a higher number of cases than during the entire decade of the 1990s".

The New York Times

A higher number of songs on the data line of the iTunes library?

The New Yorker

Today western Europe is typically experiencing a higher number of attacks with lower death tolls.

The Guardian

Some hospitals take sicker patients, and thus inevitably have a higher number of deaths.

The New York Times

With a higher number of words, they might tune out those in the middle, he adds.

MIT Technology Review

This was evident as a higher number of unbound M13KO7 was recorded.

Nature

"The language deficit has increased because there's a higher number of children without English.

The Telegraph

CEOs may demand a higher number of shares for long-term vesting schedules.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a higher number of", ensure you are comparing it to a specific previous quantity or a benchmark for clarity. For example, "We received a higher number of applications this year compared to last year."

Common error

Avoid using "a higher number of" when a simpler comparative adjective like "more" would suffice. For example, instead of "a higher number of people", consider using "more people" for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a higher number of" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a larger quantity than a previous or expected amount. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a higher number of" is a versatile and grammatically sound quantifier used to indicate an increase in quantity across various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its widespread use in news, science, and academic writing makes it a reliable choice for expressing numerical growth. While it's important to ensure clarity by specifying the point of comparison and avoiding overuse where simpler alternatives suffice, this phrase remains a valuable tool for effective communication. Its frequency and diverse application underscore its significance in both formal and informal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a greater number of

This alternative is a more direct synonym, replacing "higher" with "greater" for simplicity.

larger numbers of

This alternative emphasizes the magnitude of the quantity involved.

an increased number of

This alternative focuses on the change or growth in quantity.

a growing number of

This alternative suggests an ongoing increase in quantity.

a more significant number of

This alternative emphasizes the importance or impact of the increased quantity.

a larger quantity of

This alternative replaces "number" with "quantity", suitable for uncountable items.

a greater proportion of

This alternative focuses on the relative size of a part compared to the whole.

a more elevated number of

This alternative uses "elevated" as a more formal synonym for "higher".

a boosted number of

This alternative uses a more dynamic term to describe the increase.

a stepped-up number of

This alternative suggests that the number has increased deliberately or strategically.

FAQs

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

Use "a higher number of" to indicate an increase in quantity compared to a previous measurement or expectation. For example, "There was "a higher number of participants" this year than last year."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a greater number of", "larger numbers of", or "an increased number of".

Is it always necessary to specify what "a higher number of" is being compared to?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the point of comparison makes your statement clearer and more informative. For instance, instead of saying "We had a higher number of sales", specify "We had "a higher number of sales than last quarter"".

What's the difference between "a higher number of" and "more"?

"A higher number of" is typically used with countable nouns, while "more" can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. For example, you'd say "a higher number of books" but "more water".