a number over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a number over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity that exceeds a certain value or when discussing ratios or comparisons. Example: "The project received a number over 100 applications, which exceeded our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He has recently directed Caryl Churchill's A Number, over here, (it won the Evening Standard Best Play award); and his sell-out production off Broadway of another Churchill piece, Far Away, has been seen by American audiences as defining a post-11 September world.

The Guardian - Film

A number over 50 indicates growth.

The New York Times

A number over 50% indicates that more service businesses are expanding rather than contracting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Updated at 5.51pm GMT 5.46pm GMT Lap 70 Kobayashi just needed a good finish but he has done the opposite and spun off while trying to do a number over Schumacher and has lost a few places as a result.

The Guardian - Sport

Her family lives close to the border, and at a designated time each week her elderly parents take their illegal cellphone, climb to the top of a nearby mountain and call a number over the border in China, which then connects to her cellphone in Seoul.

The New York Times

"We're getting good at launching watches," says Migicovsky. "We've done a number over time.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Mobile is served locally by a number of over-the-air television stations.

Wikipedia

These were then grouped under a number of over-arching categories or 'super-ordinate themes'.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Thats normally a big number over a small number without a baseline.

The Guardian

It should also be displaying the current temperature in a large number over a 4-day forecast.

WikiHow

Fast forward two months after the raid, and camp has swelled to a number well over 15,000 resilient people.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a number over" to clearly indicate when a quantity or value surpasses a specific benchmark. This can be particularly effective in reports, analyses, or descriptive writing where precision is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "a number over" without specifying the units or scale. For instance, saying "a number over 50" is vague; clarify if it's 50 percent, 50 units, or 50 anything. Be specific!

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a number over" functions as a prepositional phrase used to indicate that a quantity, value, or count surpasses a specified numerical value. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a number over" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express exceeding a specific numerical value. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and common usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. To enhance clarity, always specify the units or scale being referenced. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context and choose the most precise language. Alternatives such as "greater than" or "exceeding" may be preferable for formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than a number

Emphasizes exceeding a specific quantity, focusing on the excess.

greater than a number

Directly states the condition of being larger or exceeding a given value.

exceeding a certain number

Highlights the act of surpassing a predefined numerical limit or threshold.

above a number

Indicates a position or value higher than the specified number.

in excess of a number

Focuses on the amount by which something surpasses a given quantity.

a figure exceeding

Uses 'figure' as a synonym for 'number' to indicate surpassing a specific value.

a value greater than

Emphasizes the magnitude of a quantity being larger than a reference point.

a quantity exceeding

Highlights that an amount is surpassing a specific numerical value.

beyond a certain number

Suggests going past a specified quantity or limit.

a count surpassing

Indicates that the total is more than expected or specified.

FAQs

How can I use "a number over" in a sentence?

You can use "a number over" to indicate a value exceeding a specific threshold, as in "The temperature was "a number over" 30 degrees Celsius" or "The company's profits were "a number over" last year's expectations".

What are some alternatives to saying "a number over"?

Alternatives include "greater than", "exceeding", "above", or "in excess of depending" on the context.

Is it correct to say "a number over" or should I use "more than a number"?

Both phrases are generally correct, but "more than a number" is often clearer and more direct. "A number over" is acceptable but can sometimes sound less precise.

What's the difference between "a number over" and "at least" a number?

"A number over" suggests exceeding a specific value, while "at least" a number indicates a minimum value, including that number and anything greater. The former emphasizes surpassing, while the latter emphasizes a lower bound.