a number of systems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a number of systems" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means multiple or several systems. Example: "The company has implemented a number of systems to improve efficiency and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mentions a number of systems.

The New Yorker

Also, a number of systems are in use to improve dimensional control of the strip.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The algorithm is tested against a number of systems for which analytic results are available.

Journal of Computational Physics

Grandin has designed a number of systems that use behavioral principles, instead of brute force or fear, to handle livestock.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A number of systems based on radically different concepts have been analyzed and tested.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

A number of systems have been devised to fire a series of SCR gates.

Power Electronics Design A Practitioner's Guide

Data is presented which has been obtained from a number of systems.

Building and Environment

A number of systems were developed that allowed simultaneous transmission of telegraph and telephone signals on the same lines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to engineers at Boeing, steel cable is common in many different aircraft, including the Boeing 737, where it connects the pilot's controls with a number of systems.

The New York Times

The corporation said it used a number of systems to double check the graphics were colour blind friendly, including software packages called Snook and Vischeck.

The Guardian

At Broadway I have become qualified in salesforce.com and have customised a number of systems for the not-for-profit sector.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a number of systems", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a 'system' to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether you are referring to software systems, organizational systems, or biological systems.

Common error

Avoid using "a number of systems" as a vague placeholder. Always provide specific examples or descriptions of the systems involved to add clarity and credibility to your writing. For instance, instead of saying 'A number of systems were affected by the outage', specify 'The accounting, inventory, and customer relationship management systems were affected by the outage'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a number of systems" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a plural noun. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct. It generally acts as a subject, object, or complement within a clause to indicate multiple or several systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

26%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a number of systems" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate multiple systems in various contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's a versatile expression suitable for both formal and informal communication. While its usage is widespread across scientific, news, and academic domains, remember to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "several systems" or "multiple systems" for nuanced expression. Avoid overgeneralization by providing specific examples of the systems you're referencing. Mastering this phrase involves clarity, context, and an understanding of its communicative purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Several systems

Uses a more direct synonym for "a number of", focusing on the quantity.

Multiple systems

Emphasizes the multiplicity of the systems involved.

Various systems

Highlights the diversity and variety of the systems.

A range of systems

Suggests a spectrum or collection of different systems.

A variety of systems

Similar to "various systems" but with a slightly different nuance.

Numerous systems

Emphasizes the large quantity of systems.

A collection of systems

Implies a set or group of systems brought together.

An array of systems

Conveys an organized and diverse set of systems.

A multitude of systems

Indicates a very large number of systems.

Diverse systems

Focuses on the heterogeneity and dissimilarity among the systems.

FAQs

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

You can use "a number of systems" to indicate that multiple systems are involved in a particular process or situation. For example, "The company utilizes "a number of systems" to manage its supply chain efficiently."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a number of systems"?

Alternatives to "a number of systems" include "several systems", "multiple systems", or "various systems", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a number of systems" or specify the number of systems?

It depends on the context. If the exact number is not important or unknown, "a number of systems" is appropriate. If the exact count is significant, it's better to specify the number, for example, "three systems" or "five systems".

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

"A number of systems" indicates that there are multiple systems. "The number of systems" refers to a specific quantity, for instance, "The number of systems affected was significant" indicates a particular count is being referenced.