a number of priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a number of priority" is not correct in English.
It should be "a number of priorities" to indicate multiple important items or tasks. Example: "We have a number of priorities to address in this project to ensure its success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Instead he sees a number of priority areas that are particularly ripe for collaboration.

Science Magazine

"We have a number of priority schemes already but we all support Bristol's ambition to build an arena".

BBC

Although the foundation already has a number of priority projects in Australia, one of its objectives is to undertake collaborative projects with other environmental organisations.

Science Magazine

Thus the new money will be spent in a number of priority areas, including gene therapy, vaccines, psychiatric research, and epidemiology.

Science Magazine

Nano-scale zero valent iron (nZVI) has received significant attention because of its potential to rapidly reduce a number of priority source zone contaminants.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

It is implemented in the context of U.S. airports, enabling the identification of a number of priority interventions, including the need for better investigation and causal factor capture, recommendations for airfield design, operating scenarios and technologies, and better training for human operators in the system.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"There are a number of priorities, and we will address all of them," he said.

The New York Times

"CMS had – speculation – a number of priorities and maybe that wasn't one of the priorities," Campbell says.

The Guardian

"The police service has a number of priorities, but this has to be close to number one".

The Guardian

At one point, Mr. McClellan pointed out that "there were a number of priorities at the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom".

The New York Times

They discussed a number of priorities of shared concern, and the president's and the Vatican's positions on these issues are well known".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form "priorities" after "a number of" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, use "a number of priorities" instead of "a number of priority".

Common error

Avoid using the singular noun "priority" after the phrase "a number of". The correct form is always the plural, "priorities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a determiner followed by a noun. However, it's crucial to note that the grammatically correct form is "a number of priorities," not "a number of priority." The incorrect singular usage changes its grammatical role and acceptability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the expression "a number of priority" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI correctly identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The proper form is "a number of priorities", using the plural noun. This correction is essential for maintaining grammatical accuracy across diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. To avoid errors, remember to always use the plural "priorities" after the phrase "a number of". Using alternatives such as "several priorities" or "multiple priorities" can also enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several priorities

Emphasizes multiple important tasks; this alternative uses a more concise and grammatically correct construction.

multiple priorities

Highlights that there are more than one important item; this is a straightforward and correct alternative.

various priorities

Indicates a range of different important items; suggests diversity in the set of priorities.

a set of priorities

Focuses on a group of important items considered together; implies a structured collection.

a range of priorities

Suggests a spectrum of important items, from lesser to greater importance.

a list of priorities

Highlights that important items are formally organized, often in a specific sequence.

key priorities

Emphasizes that only the most important items are being considered, filtering out less critical ones.

chief priorities

Highlights that the items are the most significant and commanding attention above all others.

principal priorities

Stresses the fundamental or foundational nature of the important items.

primary concerns

Shifts the focus to areas of worry or attention that are most pressing.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase "a number of" with regard to priorities?

The correct way is to use the plural form, "priorities". So, it should be "a number of priorities". The phrase "a number of priority" is grammatically incorrect.

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

You can use alternatives like "several priorities", "multiple priorities", or "various priorities" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a number of priority" or "a number of priorities"?

"A number of priorities" is correct. The phrase "a number of" indicates more than one, so the noun must be plural.

What does "a number of priorities" mean?

It signifies that there are several important tasks or items that need to be addressed or given attention.