a number of experiments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a number of experiments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple experiments conducted in a scientific or research context. Example: "The researchers conducted a number of experiments to test their hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have performed a number of experiments with this framework.

Journal of Systems and Software

A number of experiments employing this approach are reviewed.

Consciousness and Cognition

A number of experiments run on these "split-brain" patients produced some fascinating results.

Harvard Business Review

A number of experiments were conducted to validate the model.

Composite Structures

It's been used in a number of experiments on the frontal cortex.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The relation between these findings and a number of experiments is discussed.

Yale University

After a number of experiments, Post marketed his first product the cereal beverage called Postum in 1895.

Britannica

We performed a number of experiments to compare the properties of avian scales and reptilian scales to resolve this issue.

Nature

Like Alphabet, Google's parent, they invest in a number of experiments — say, Google Fiber or autonomous vehicles.

Harvard Business Review

Yet a number of experiments have failed to provide much support for this prediction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Plotnik and the students devised a number of experiments on elephant behavior.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific reports or academic papers, use "a number of experiments" to indicate that more than just a few experiments were conducted, implying a substantial basis for your conclusions.

Common error

Ensure that when using "a number of experiments", the verb that follows is plural (e.g., "a number of experiments were conducted"), not singular.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a number of experiments" functions as a determiner phrase quantifying the noun "experiments". It indicates that several experiments have been conducted or are being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

20%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a number of experiments" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase primarily found in scientific, academic, and news contexts. It serves to quantify the amount of research being discussed, adding weight to the presented information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing. For alternatives, consider "several experiments" or "multiple experiments" to maintain clarity and impact. Remember to use a plural verb following the phrase to ensure grammatical correctness. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use this phrase to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several experiments

Replaces "a number of" with "several", offering a more concise alternative with equivalent meaning.

multiple experiments

Uses "multiple" instead of "a number of", providing a direct synonym with no significant change in meaning.

various experiments

Substitutes "a number of" with "various", implying a diverse range of experiments.

numerous experiments

Replaces "a number of" with "numerous", suggesting a large quantity of experiments.

a series of experiments

Changes the structure to emphasize a sequence or progression of experiments.

a range of experiments

Focuses on the diversity of the experiments conducted.

several trials

Replaces "experiments" with "trials", suitable when referring to repeated tests.

multiple studies

Replaces "experiments" with "studies", appropriate when referring to broader research investigations.

a multitude of tests

Emphasizes a large quantity of tests conducted.

extensive experimentation

Presents the idea as a process rather than individual instances.

FAQs

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

You can use "a number of experiments" to describe the quantity of experiments performed, such as, "A number of experiments were performed to validate the hypothesis".

What can I say instead of "a number of experiments"?

You can use alternatives like "several experiments", "multiple experiments", or "various experiments" depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a number of experiments was" or "a number of experiments were"?

The correct form is "a number of experiments were". "A number of" implies a plural subject, thus requiring a plural verb.

What's the difference between "a number of experiments" and "the number of experiments"?

"A number of experiments" treats "number" as plural, emphasizing the experiments themselves. "The number of experiments" treats "number" as singular, focusing on the specific quantity.