a number of physicians

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a number of physicians" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple physicians in a general sense, often to indicate that there is more than one involved in a situation or study. Example: "A number of physicians attended the conference to discuss the latest advancements in medical research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

But like Dr. Rosenberg, a number of physicians have found that the "M.D".

The New York Times - Health

Reaching that diagnosis required tests and analysis by a number of physicians who were brought in for unscheduled consultations and were not covered by the Giordanos' insurance.

The New York Times

Still, he said, "A number of physicians were directly involved in the passage of the bill, and two physicians actually co-authored the law".

The New Yorker

In fact, a number of physicians participating in this study would not refer their patients to the nurse practitioners.

The New York Times

Their conversations were so compelling that a number of physicians made plans right then to fly to Switzerland and see firsthand what he was doing.

Harvard Business Review

The Bahraini security campaign also targeted Bahraini medical workers, detaining a number of physicians, nurses, and paramedics who were thought to have treated injured protesters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

A number of physician and patient organizations, some of which receive financial support from the pharmaceutical industry, have also formed alliances opposing PBMs.

The Washington Post

Wide variations in overuse, underuse, and misuse of G-CSF are associated with a number of physician and patient factors.

Cancer Medicine

This law was challenged by a number of prominent physicians.

Huffington Post

There were over a hundred black-owned businesses, and there were a number of black physicians, dentists, and attorneys.

Wikipedia

A number of our physician-scientists have received honorary awards in recognition of groundbreaking discoveries.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when choosing between "a number of physicians" and simpler alternatives like "several doctors". While the former is appropriate in formal settings, the latter may be preferable in casual communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a number of physicians" in contexts where a more straightforward term like "some doctors" or "several doctors" would be more appropriate. Overly formal language can sound stilted or unnatural in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a number of physicians" functions as a determiner followed by a noun phrase. The determiner "a number of" modifies the noun "physicians", indicating an unspecified quantity greater than one. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a number of physicians" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate multiple doctors, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While alternatives like "several doctors" exist for more informal settings, "a number of physicians" maintains a neutral to formal register, suitable for professional communication. The phrase serves to highlight the involvement of multiple medical professionals in a given situation, making it a versatile and reliable choice for various writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several doctors

Replaces "physicians" with the more common term "doctors".

many physicians

Uses "many" instead of "a number of", indicating a large quantity.

numerous physicians

Replaces "a number of" with "numerous", suggesting a substantial quantity.

multiple physicians

Directly states that there are more than one physician.

a group of physicians

Emphasizes the collective aspect of the physicians.

a collection of physicians

Similar to "a group of physicians", emphasizing the collective.

a few physicians

Indicates a smaller quantity than "a number of".

various physicians

Highlights the diversity of physicians involved.

a contingent of physicians

Suggests a formal group or delegation of physicians.

certain physicians

Indicates specific, but unspecified, physicians.

FAQs

What is a more common alternative to "a number of physicians"?

A more common alternative is "several doctors", which is less formal and more widely understood in everyday conversation.

Is "a number of physicians" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a number of physicians" is grammatically correct. It functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, indicating multiple medical doctors.

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

You can use it to describe a group of doctors involved in a specific activity, such as "A number of physicians attended the conference on cardiology."

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

"A number of physicians" refers to multiple doctors, while "the number of physicians" refers to a specific, countable quantity. For example, "A number of physicians specialize in oncology," versus "The number of physicians in the hospital is insufficient."