a number of documents

USAGE SUMMARY

"a number of documents" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a quantity of documents, papers, or other items that are too numerous to count. For example, "I need to review a number of documents before I can make a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A number of documents and other evidence were seized.

The New York Times

However there have been a number of documents leaked over the 10 years of negotiations.

The Guardian

He showed the writer a number of documents purporting to prove his point.

The New Yorker

In June, a number of documents in the A.I.T. case were unsealed.

The New York Times - Tech

The Library and Archives Service at Bangor University holds a number of documents that relate to William Jones.

The Guardian

Both nations require a number of documents from both parties to be submitted two to four weeks in advance.

The New York Times - Travel

But a number of documents, examined by Matti Friedman and discussed in his book, reveal an entirely different story.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We've gotten a number of documents from the White House, including some very sensitive documents that Congress did not have," Mr. Kean said in the interview.

The New York Times

According to evidence submitted at a preliminary hearing, he was captured on tape offering Touré a substantial bribe to destroy a number of documents.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

There have been a number of documented examples in Florida and China (and suspected cases in the UK) in which abstraction for agriculture has caused the earth to subside.

The Guardian

We tested the algorithm on a range of different datasets extracted from a number of documented benchmarks and test cases.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is important, consider providing the specific number of documents instead of using the phrase "a number of documents".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on vague quantifiers like "a number of documents" if more precise language can be used. When possible, provide specific numbers or more descriptive terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a number of documents" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, indicating an unspecified quantity of documents. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a number of documents" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote an unspecified quantity of documents. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It appears most commonly in news and media, followed by scientific and business contexts. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when the precise number of documents is either unknown or not critical to the message. If more precision is needed, consider specifying the exact number or using alternative quantifiers such as "several" or "multiple".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several documents

Indicates more than two but not a large number of documents, similar to "a number of documents".

various documents

Emphasizes the variety or diversity of the documents, while still implying multiple.

multiple documents

A more formal and direct way of saying there are more than one document.

a collection of documents

Highlights the grouping or set of documents, implying they are related.

a quantity of documents

Focuses on the amount of documents, often used in more formal contexts.

a range of documents

Implies a variety of documents that fall within a specific scope or category.

a series of documents

Suggests the documents are related sequentially or thematically.

numerous documents

Emphasizes a large quantity of documents.

a multitude of documents

Implies a very large, almost uncountable, number of documents.

an array of documents

Indicates a structured or organized collection of documents.

FAQs

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

You can use "a number of documents" to indicate an unspecified quantity of documents, as in, "The investigation involved reviewing "a number of documents" related to the case."

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

Alternatives include "several documents", "various documents", or "multiple documents". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a number of documents" or specify the exact number?

It depends on the context. If the exact number isn't important or known, "a number of documents" is fine. However, if precision is necessary, providing the exact number is better.

In what contexts is "a number of documents" most appropriate?

"A number of documents" is suitable in contexts where the quantity is not critical, such as general discussions, summaries, or overviews. More formal or technical writing may benefit from more precise language.