a large number of students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large number of students" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a significant amount of students without specifying an exact number. For example: - "A large number of students attended the school assembly today." - "The university has a large number of students studying abroad." - "The survey found that a large number of students struggle with time management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What we offer works for a large number of students, but not for all," she said.

The New York Times

Poll a large number of students to see how important these ratings are.

The New York Times

Thanks to the laboratory and activity design, a large number of students can be managed.

Control Engineering Practice

NOTE: A large number of students who purchase a MacBook Pro regret the decision.

Cornell University

A committed teacher, his courses have attracted a large number of students from many disciplines.

University of California, Berkeley

I was contacted by a large number of students and faculty, and there has been a great deal of debate.

The Guardian

Ulster already has a large number of students from the Republic of Ireland but few from mainland Britain.

The Guardian

The confirmation that a large number of students will leave school without a qualification is likely to intensify criticism.

The Guardian

These schools, however, have a large number of students who would be able to graduate in five years.

The Washington Post

It soon became clear that the turmoil involved a large number of students, and some teachers had been manhandled.

The Economist

A large number of students have joined the protests as a kind of generational rite of passage, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using synonyms like "significant number" or "substantial number" for added emphasis. In more casual writing, "many students" is perfectly acceptable and more concise.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "a large number of students" repeatedly in informal writing; opt for simpler alternatives like "many students" or "lots of students" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large number of students" functions as a determiner phrase quantifying the noun "students". It specifies that the noun is present in a significant, but unspecified, quantity. The Ludwig examples confirm its role in describing the size of a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

34%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large number of students" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a substantial quantity of students without specifying an exact count. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile across various contexts, including news, academia, and scientific writing. While widely accepted, it's beneficial to consider synonyms like "many students" for informal contexts or "a significant number of students" for more formal emphasis. Be mindful of overuse in casual settings and strive for concise language when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many students

This is a more concise and direct way of expressing a similar idea; simpler wording.

a significant number of students

Replaces "large" with "significant", indicating importance or consequence alongside quantity.

numerous students

Uses a synonym for "large number", implying a considerable quantity.

a multitude of students

This suggests a very large, almost uncountable number of students.

a great many students

An older, more formal way of saying "many students".

a considerable number of students

Implies a noteworthy or substantial quantity of students.

a substantial number of students

Suggests a significant amount that is important or meaningful.

a host of students

Evokes a sense of abundance or a large gathering of students.

a good number of students

A more informal way to indicate a reasonably large quantity.

plenty of students

Suggests there are more than enough students.

FAQs

How can I use "a large number of students" in a sentence?

You can use "a large number of students" to indicate that many students are involved in a particular situation. For example, "A large number of students participated in the science fair".

What are some alternatives to "a large number of students"?

You can use alternatives like "many students", "numerous students", or "a significant number of students" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "a large number of students" or "many students"?

"A large number of students" is generally considered more formal than "many students". The latter is suitable for most general contexts, while the former can add emphasis or befit a more formal setting.

When is it appropriate to use "a large number of students" instead of a specific number?

It's appropriate to use "a large number of students" when the exact number is unknown, irrelevant, or too cumbersome to specify, but you want to convey that the quantity is substantial.