a number of conflicts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a number of conflicts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to multiple conflicts or disputes that exist or have occurred. Example: "The negotiations were complicated by a number of conflicts between the parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Elite: Dangerous has thrown up a number of conflicts between its model of the Milky Way and previous astronomical assumptions.

The New Yorker

Friction generated by these events contributed to a number of conflicts and violent exchanges with the Arab population in Hebron.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But an examination of journal articles, professional conference speakers and drug company disclosures turned up a number of conflicts.

The New York Times - Health

But he "expresses little regret about many of the most controversial decisions of the Bush administration" and uncharacteristically "divulges a number of conflicts" with other top advisers.

The New York Times

He is considered responsible for defusing a number of conflicts in Africa, notably a 2008 agreement that halted a civil war in Kenya.

The New York Times

The growing demand for blue helmets, he says, is a good sign that a number of conflicts are ending.In this section Call the blue helmets Mission impossible?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Gradually they find a style that suits them amid a number of conflicting pressures.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A number of conflicting emotions like fear, loyalty, embarrassment and denial prevent many battered women from following through, she said.

The New York Times

Having travelled to a number of conflict zones, Wallinger had been struck by the ambiguity of the UN United Nationssignsgns that he saw.

The Guardian

She later jokingly tweeted: "There appear to be a number of conflicting petitions out there to have me hung and quartered.

The Guardian

Without directly implicating the intelligence agencies, he seems to make the point that a number of conflicting interests may have led, or at least facilitated, the attempted attack.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a number of conflicts", ensure the context clearly defines what kind of conflicts are being referred to. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "a number of conflicts" without providing additional details or examples. Vague quantifiers can weaken your writing; supplement with specifics for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a number of conflicts" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates the existence of multiple disagreements, disputes, or clashes. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

27%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a number of conflicts" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to denote multiple disputes or disagreements. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and general discourse. While alternatives like "several conflicts" or "various conflicts" may offer conciseness, "a number of conflicts" remains a widely understood and accepted phrase. When employing this phrase, ensure contextual clarity to effectively communicate the nature and scope of the conflicts. Ludwig's analysis highlights its role as a neutral and informative expression suitable for a wide range of writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several conflicts

Replaces "a number of" with "several", a more concise quantifier.

various conflicts

Substitutes "a number of" with "various", emphasizing the diversity of conflicts.

multiple conflicts

Replaces "a number of" with "multiple", indicating more than one conflict.

many conflicts

Uses "many" instead of "a number of", a simpler and more direct way to indicate quantity.

numerous conflicts

Substitutes "a number of" with "numerous", indicating a large quantity.

a series of conflicts

Changes the structure to highlight the sequential nature of the conflicts.

a range of conflicts

Emphasizes the variety and scope of the conflicts.

several disputes

Replaces "conflicts" with "disputes", offering a slightly different nuance.

various disagreements

Substitutes both "a number of" and "conflicts" to provide a more general term for disagreements.

frequent clashes

Uses stronger language like "clashes" to denote the conflicts and replaces the quantifier with frequent to indicate high frequency of such clashes.

FAQs

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

You can use "a number of conflicts" to indicate that there are multiple conflicts or disputes. For example: "The project faced delays due to "a number of conflicts" between team members."

What are some alternatives to saying "a number of conflicts"?

Alternatives include "several conflicts", "various conflicts", or "multiple conflicts" depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "a number of conflicts" or "several conflicts"?

Both "a number of conflicts" and "several conflicts" are grammatically correct. "Several conflicts" is often more concise and direct, while "a number of conflicts" can sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "a number of conflicts" and "a source of conflict"?

"A number of conflicts" refers to multiple instances of conflict, while "a source of conflict" refers to something that causes conflict. They have different meanings and usages.