a number of speakers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a number of speakers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple individuals who are speaking or have the ability to speak, often in the context of a discussion or presentation. Example: "At the conference, a number of speakers shared their insights on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A number of speakers at the summit examined it.

The Economist

While a number of speakers share the book's 54 chapters, their voices are scarcely differentiated.

The Guardian - Books

A number of speakers took the opportunity to float their own international initiatives.

The New York Times

A crowd of 20,000 listened to the fiery orations of a number of speakers.

The New York Times

A number of speakers and musical acts stressed the importance of the newspaper's long history in the city.

The New York Times

This is about your mama!" A number of speakers made direct appeals to people to vote for Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

Scores of attendees took to praying on the street en masse while a number of speakers addressed the crowd.

Independent

Indeed, a number of speakers said that time, not substance, seemed to be the top concern of Mr. Bush's convention organizers.

The New York Times

In Alexandra Park, Sheakha Omar was one of a number of speakers to talk about losing a family member to Manchester's resurgent gang violence.

The Guardian

The rally was peaceful, with families in attendance, and heard from a number of speakers while some prayers were also held.

The Guardian

A number of speakers also complained yesterday that city documents detailing the Bank of America project were full of conflicting and confusing numbers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a number of speakers" when you want to indicate that there are multiple speakers, but without specifying the exact quantity. It implies more than a few, but not necessarily a large amount.

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs with "a number of speakers" because the phrase refers to a plural subject. Instead of "a number of speakers was", use "a number of speakers were".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a number of speakers" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a group of individuals who are speaking or presenting. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showing it used to describe participants at events and conferences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a number of speakers" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to multiple individuals presenting or speaking, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is versatile, fitting well in neutral to professional contexts, and is frequently used in news, media, scientific reports, and business settings. While it doesn't specify an exact count, it implies more than just a few speakers. For more precise or formal situations, alternatives like "several speakers" or "multiple speakers" may be appropriate. Be sure to use plural verbs to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several speakers

Replaces "a number of" with "several", indicating more than two but not many speakers.

various speakers

Uses "various" to emphasize the diversity of speakers involved.

multiple speakers

Substitutes "a number of" with "multiple", directly indicating more than one speaker.

numerous speakers

Employs "numerous" to highlight a large quantity of speakers.

many speakers

Replaces "a number of" with "many", a simpler and more direct way to indicate a large quantity.

a few speakers

Indicates a smaller quantity of speakers, replacing "number" with "few".

some speakers

Offers a less specific quantity, suggesting an indefinite number of speakers.

several presenters

Replaces "speakers" with "presenters", implying a formal presentation setting.

a panel of experts

Specifies speakers as experts, shifting the focus to their expertise and panel composition.

a range of voices

Moves away from the quantity of speakers to the diversity of opinions or viewpoints.

FAQs

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

You can use "a number of speakers" to refer to multiple people who are presenting or talking. For example: "A number of speakers addressed the crowd at the conference."

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

Alternatives include "several speakers", "multiple speakers", or "various speakers". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "a number of speakers was" or "a number of speakers were"?

"A number of speakers were" is grammatically correct. Since "number" refers to a plural quantity in this context, the plural verb "were" should be used.

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

"A number of speakers" implies a plurality of individuals, while "the number of speakers" refers to a specific, countable quantity. For example, "a number of speakers" suggests several people spoke, whereas "the number of speakers was five" indicates a precise count.