a number of agents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a number of agents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple agents in a context, such as in discussions about business, law enforcement, or any scenario involving representatives or individuals acting on behalf of others. Example: "A number of agents were dispatched to investigate the situation further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is, at least, the view of a number of agents surveyed last week.

The New York Times - Sports

Carcinogen, any of a number of agents that can cause cancer in humans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A number of agents consider the track federation officials to be corrupt and the track federation coaches to be incompetent.

The New York Times

"A number of agents became really desperate after 9/11, and they think now's the time to make it up, and they're really ruthless," she said.

The New York Times

While estimates vary, a number of agents figure that at least 20percentt of their open house traffic is not serious.

The New York Times

A number of agents are added to foods in order to aid in processing or to maintain the desired consistency of the product.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Assemblers have frequently used elaborate subterfuges to conceal their efforts, using a number of agents and lawyers to make it seem there were several buyers operating, rather than a single purchaser assembling a larger tract.

The New York Times

"There are also a number of agents who are maximizing their international exposure and other independent agents who are making road-show trips to the United States to try and make contacts over there".

The New York Times

Sergei Tretyakov, who worked as a press officer at the Russian Mission of the United Nations in New York, but in fact ran a number of agents in the US and the UN, was the last SVR spy to defect.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tim and Alex were left behind with a number of agents, who said they needed to begin a 24-hour forensic search of the home; they had prepared a hotel room for the brothers.

The Guardian

The Rockland market has been fueled by historically low interest rates and soaring house prices in Westchester, which have priced out many first-time home buyers, a number of agents said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a number of agents", ensure that the context clearly defines the role or type of agents being referenced. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid treating "a number of agents" as a singular entity. Remember that because "agents" is plural, the verb must also be plural. For instance, use "a number of agents were" instead of "a number of agents was".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a number of agents" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a plural quantity of agents. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase serves to introduce the subject of a sentence, describing the actions or attributes of these agents.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a number of agents" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote multiple actors or entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, predominantly within scientific and news-related domains. When employing this phrase, ensure proper subject-verb agreement, and be mindful of the context to maintain clarity regarding the agents' roles. While alternatives like "several agents" or "multiple agents" exist, "a number of agents" offers a slightly more formal tone, suitable for professional and academic settings. Always strive for precision in defining the agents involved to enhance comprehension and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several agents

Replaces "a number of" with "several", offering a more concise and direct way to indicate multiple agents.

multiple agents

Uses "multiple" instead of "a number of", emphasizing the presence of more than one agent.

various agents

Substitutes "a number of" with "various", highlighting the diversity of the agents involved.

numerous agents

Employs "numerous" in place of "a number of", indicating a large quantity of agents.

a group of agents

Replaces "a number of" with "a group of", emphasizing the collective nature of the agents.

a collection of agents

Similar to "a group of agents", but may suggest a more formal or organized assembly.

many agents

Simplifies the phrase to "many agents", providing a straightforward indication of quantity.

a few agents

Contrasts with the original by indicating a smaller quantity of agents.

a considerable number of agents

Adds emphasis to the quantity of agents, suggesting a significant amount.

a host of agents

More figurative and less formal, suggesting a large and possibly overwhelming number of agents.

FAQs

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

You can use "a number of agents" to indicate that there are multiple agents involved in a particular situation. For example, "A number of agents were dispatched to investigate the situation".

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

Some alternatives to "a number of agents" include "several agents", "multiple agents", or "various agents". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

"A number of agents" is generally considered more formal than "many agents". However, both are acceptable in many contexts. The former is often preferred in professional or academic writing.

What is the difference between "a number of agents" and "the number of agents"?

"A number of agents" indicates a plurality and is followed by a plural verb (e.g., "A number of agents were"). "The number of agents" refers to a specific quantity and is followed by a singular verb (e.g., "The number of agents was").