a larger number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a larger number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities or discussing numerical values that are greater than another. Example: "In the recent survey, a larger number of participants preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are a larger number of veins.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A larger number end up in industrial or governmental research.

The Guardian

With good regularity, counties with a larger number of Bush votes also produced a larger number of Buchanan votes.

The New York Times - Science

A larger number are with Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

Independent

A larger number are Republicans: 120, compared with 69 Democrats.

The New York Times

Can the two programs co-exist peacefully, bringing robotics competitions to a larger number of schools?

The New York Times - Tech

In the first place a larger number of foreign tourists were present.

The New Yorker

Environmental groups want the cap removed so that a larger number of homeowners will be compensated.

The New York Times

This yields a larger number that becomes the key used to encrypt the text.

The New York Times

Congress officials contend the conference should be opened up to a larger number of unaffiliated exiles.

The New York Times

The selection contains fewer small-scale works and, over all, a larger number of substantial pieces.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two sets of data, clearly state what you are comparing "the number of X compared to the number of Y" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a larger number" when referring to uncountable nouns (like water or sand); instead, use "a larger amount" or "a greater quantity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a larger number" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically as a quantifier. It modifies a noun to indicate that the quantity or count of something is greater than some other quantity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a larger number" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a greater quantity or count, as validated by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While "a larger number" is useful for countable items, it's important to use "a larger amount" or "a greater quantity" for uncountable nouns. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its correct usage across various sources, making it a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a greater quantity

Replaces "number" with "quantity", focusing on the amount rather than the count.

a higher amount

Substitutes "number" with "amount", emphasizing the total sum.

a greater volume

Uses "volume" instead of "number", implying a larger bulk or extent.

a more significant quantity

Adds "significant" to emphasize the importance of the increased quantity.

an increased number

Uses "increased" as an adjective, highlighting the act of growing in quantity.

a considerable amount

Employs "considerable" to denote a noteworthy or substantial quantity.

a substantial quantity

Replaces "larger" with "substantial", conveying a significant or considerable amount.

a majority

Indicates that more than half of a group or set is being referred to.

a preponderance

Suggests a dominance or greater abundance of something.

a proliferation

Implies a rapid increase or spread in quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "a larger number" to indicate a greater quantity or count of something compared to something else. For example, "A larger number of students attended the lecture this week than last week."

What's a synonym for "a larger number"?

Alternatives to "a larger number" include "a greater quantity", "a higher amount", or "a majority" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a larger number of" or "a greater amount of"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a larger number of" is typically used with countable nouns (e.g., people, books), while "a greater amount of" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, money).

What is the difference between "a larger number" and "a larger amount"?

"A larger number" refers to countable items, while "a larger amount" refers to uncountable substances or quantities. For example, "a larger number of apples" versus "a larger amount of water".