a number of students

USAGE SUMMARY

'a number of students' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an unspecified but large quantity of people, for example: "A number of students have already signed up for the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A number of students and several teachers developed asthma.

The New York Times

A number of students at a university reportedly died.

The Washington Post

A number of students in the class hissed.

The New York Times

A number of students had canceled earlier that morning.

The New York Times

Madison houses Promise Junior/Senior High School, from which a number of students proudly graduate.

The New Yorker

Why they agreed to has puzzled a number of students of their destinies.

The New Yorker

He said a number of students from N.Y.U. and other universities work at companies there.

The New York Times

There was original oratory; a number of students delivered "humorous interpretations"; others presented "dramatic interpretations".

The New Yorker

But at Oberlin a number of students seem to want to run away.

The New Yorker

JK: In the making of your movie, you spoke to a number of students as well.

The Guardian - Money

He said a number of students were consoling each other in the campus chapel.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a number of students", ensure the verb that follows agrees with the plural noun "students". For example, "A number of students were present" is correct.

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb with "a number of students". It's a common mistake to say "A number of students was present" when it should be "were".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a number of students" functions as a determiner phrase acting as the subject or part of the subject in a sentence. It indicates an unspecified quantity of students. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it serves this function effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

35%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Huffington Post

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a number of students" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote an unspecified quantity of students. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and versatile across various contexts. While it appears most commonly in news and academic settings, remember to maintain correct verb agreement by using a plural verb. Be mindful of the subtle difference between "a number of students" and "the number of students" to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several students

Uses a more direct and less formal way to indicate multiple students.

many students

Offers a simpler and more common alternative to indicate a large quantity of students.

numerous students

Emphasizes a large quantity in a slightly more formal style.

a large number of students

More explicitly indicates a considerable quantity.

a significant number of students

Highlights the importance or impact of the quantity of students.

a group of students

Refers to students as a collective, emphasizing their unity.

a majority of students

Indicates that more than half of the students are being referenced.

a portion of students

Refers to a part or fraction of the total student population.

some students

A less specific term for indicating more than one student.

certain students

Refers to specific, though not necessarily named, students.

FAQs

How do I use "a number of students" in a sentence?

Use "a number of students" to indicate an unspecified but plural quantity of students. For example, "A number of students participated in the event."

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

You can use phrases like "several students", "many students", or "numerous students" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "a number of students is"?

No, it's incorrect. Since "a number of students" refers to a plural quantity, the correct phrasing is "a number of students are". The verb should agree with the plural noun "students".

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

"A number of students" implies a plural quantity and takes a plural verb (e.g., "a number of students were"). "The number of students" refers to a specific quantity treated as a singular unit, so it takes a singular verb (e.g., "the number of students is").