a neat number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a neat number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a specific figure that is considered particularly accurate or precise. For example, "The engineers predicted the bridge would require 6,000 tons of steel, but it turns out they only needed 4,000 - quite a neat number!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ten is a neat number: another BBC1 drama perennial, Spooks, also ran to that number of seasons.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One neat number is a woman's headgear in the shape of an upside-down round bowl woven with a design of stepped triangles (Hupa, circa 1925).

The New York Times - Arts

Human nature is to be deeply invested in knowing what "people" in general think, in getting some reified abstract consensus of the population as a whole as a neat tidy number.

TechCrunch

Oh hello, innovation, This neat number takes the sandwich to a whole new level by nixing basic bread for a crunchy tart twist.

HuffPost

Asos has a good range of cuts and colours, but I like this neat number by Equipment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If there are, can we identify them?—and are there a vast (perhaps even an infinite) number of them, or some largish, messy number like forty-nine, or some small, neat number like seven or four?

SEP

"At this stage in my career, there are a lot of neat numbers I've been able to approach.

The New York Times - Sports

Administrative coordinator Tiffany Casey had spread out a rainbow of brand-new sharpies and the moveable bulletin boards stood in neat, numbered ranks with plain white sheets of giant post-it paper.

Duke University

I think this is a neat story in a number of ways.

University of California, Berkeley

The combination of all the three technologies resulted in the recovering of more ORFs than any other combination or any single technology, with a neat increase of the number of ORFs recovered for at least 95% of their length.

BMC Genomics

There's a neat symmetry in the numbers that helped to sink the European summit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a neat number" when you want to describe a numerical value that is both precise and satisfying in a particular context. It implies a sense of order and appropriateness.

Common error

Avoid using "a neat number" when describing large, complex datasets. The phrase suggests simplicity and clarity, which may not be appropriate for intricate numerical analyses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a neat number" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a numerical value as being tidy, pleasing, or elegantly simple. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a neat number" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a numerical value that is considered both precise and satisfying. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. Although relatively uncommon, the phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure that the numerical context aligns with its connotation of simplicity and order. While alternatives such as "a tidy sum" or "an impressive figure" exist, the specific nuance of "neatness" should be considered for optimal usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tidy sum

Replaces "number" with "sum", focusing on the amount of money.

an impressive figure

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of the numerical value.

a precise value

Highlights the accuracy of the number.

a clever trick

Shifts the meaning to denote an ingenious method or solution.

a satisfying result

Focuses on the positive outcome the number represents.

a well-defined quantity

Stresses the clarity and exactness of the amount.

an elegant solution

Suggests a simple and effective answer to a problem.

a smart move

Indicates an intelligent or strategic action.

a remarkable statistic

Highlights the unusual or noteworthy nature of the data.

an ingenious method

Focuses on the inventive nature of a process.

FAQs

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

You can use "a neat number" to describe a precise or satisfying numerical value, for example: "The solution to the problem resulted in "a neat number", which simplified the subsequent calculations."

What are some alternatives to "a neat number"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a tidy sum", "an impressive figure", or "a precise value".

Is "a neat number" always appropriate to describe a quantity?

No, it's best used when the number is both accurate and conceptually pleasing in its simplicity. It might not be suitable for describing very large or complex quantities.

What does "a neat number" imply?

It implies that the number is not only accurate but also well-suited or satisfying in the given situation, suggesting a sense of order and appropriateness.