a measurable number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a measurable number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity that can be quantified or assessed in numerical terms. Example: "In our study, we need to ensure that we are working with a measurable number to draw accurate conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But a perhaps tougher struggle confronts Chinese film executives who dream of making movies that will be seen not just at home, but also by a measurable number of viewers in the United States and elsewhere.

The New York Times

It might be that only 10-20% of the graduating population of the top students are interested in the long-term wellbeing of the planet, but it's a measurable number and it's getting bigger and it's enough to be commercially interesting.

The Guardian

Historically, the problem of turning body movement into a measurable number of steps has proved an imperfect science.

BBC

The images obtained are based on a measurable number of nuclear disintegrations and, as such, are inherently quantitative.

EJNMMI Physics

However, the circulation of a measurable number of IDO-specific T cells did not seem to cause autoimmunity.

Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy

By contrast, conditions that are not generally understood to lead directly to death (e.g. diabetes and hypercholesterolemia) were listed as a primary cause of death in a measurable number of patients.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As soon as they do capture all the flow, then a real, measurable number will be in front of the public, and that's the last thing BP wants, since that number will then be used to extrapolate environmental damage, hence per barrel fines that will likely run to the tens of billions anyway.

Huffington Post

A recent report from the Pew Research Center, focused on teens shows that nearly half have accessed the Web on a smartphone in the last 30 days and a small but measurable number did so using a borrowed phone.

The New York Times

According to the Pew researchers, it is "a small but measurable number," not half.

The New York Times

The flaw — which involves a small but measurable number of cases — has to do with the way the system generates random numbers, which are used to make it practically impossible for an attacker to unscramble digital messages.

The New York Times

Because of technical limitations (differentiation of RBC precursors into a sufficient and measurable number of mature cells in culture is not possible) we could not study this finding in vitro; in vivo we did not detect increased numbers of reticulocytes even at earlier time points (2 and 10 h after dosing).

British Journal of Haematology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a measurable number", ensure that the context provides information on how the number is measured or what units are used. This clarifies the significance and relevance of the measurement.

Common error

Avoid using "a measurable number" without providing context about the measurement process or scale. Simply stating that something is measurable isn't informative if the method of measurement isn't clear or relevant to the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a measurable number" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It specifies that the "number" in question possesses the characteristic of being quantifiable or able to be measured. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a measurable number" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize that a particular quantity can be objectively assessed or quantified. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used in various contexts, ranging from scientific research to news reporting. While not exceedingly common, the phrase serves a crucial role in ensuring clarity and precision when discussing numerical values. To enhance your writing, always provide context about the units or methods used for measurement when using this phrase. Avoid simply stating that something is measurable without explaining how it's measured.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quantifiable amount

Replaces 'measurable' with 'quantifiable', emphasizing the ability to express the number numerically.

a discernible quantity

Focuses on the ease of perceiving or recognizing the number, using 'discernible'.

a detectable figure

Highlights the ability to notice or discover the number, using 'detectable'.

a calculable value

Emphasizes the mathematical aspect of determining the number, using 'calculable'.

an assessable quantity

Stresses the capacity to evaluate or judge the number, using 'assessable'.

a computable total

Highlights the computational aspect of arriving at a final sum, using 'computable'.

a quantifiable entity

Replaces 'number' with the broader term 'entity' to denote something that can be quantified.

a countable sum

Focuses on the act of counting to determine the number, using 'countable'.

a scorable metric

Implies a standardized way of assigning a score or value, using 'scorable' and 'metric'.

a determinable amount

Emphasizes the capability of establishing the precise value, using 'determinable'.

FAQs

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

Use "a measurable number" to indicate a quantity that can be quantified or assessed numerically. For instance, "The study aimed to identify "a measurable number" of participants showing improvement after the treatment".

What are some alternatives to "a measurable number"?

You can use alternatives such as "a quantifiable amount", "a discernible quantity", or "a detectable figure" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a measurable number"?

It's appropriate to use "a measurable number" when you want to emphasize that a particular quantity has been or can be objectively assessed using a defined metric or scale.

What's the difference between "a measurable number" and "a significant number"?

"A measurable number" indicates that a quantity can be quantified, while "a significant number" implies that the quantity is large or important enough to be noteworthy. The two are not interchangeable; something can be measurable without being significant, and vice versa.