a number which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a number which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific number in a descriptive or explanatory context. Example: "The study revealed a number which significantly impacted the overall results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And it is hard to believe Mayenburg is unaware of Caryl Churchill's A Number which raised similar questions about individuality.

The Guardian

On average, each person on Pinterest generates 128 pageviews a month (a number which will no doubt come down).

TechCrunch

And that's a number which changes everything.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There was also a number, which the lady called.

The New Yorker

Next to your name on your profile is a number, which is your "Snapchat score".

The Guardian - Tech

The ideal answer, if we carry on forever, is a number, which we call "e".

The Guardian

"That instrument panel was the first with a hard requirement for smell, a number which we should meet".

The New York Times

However, he added, in 1960, Suffolk had 667,000 people, "a number which, since, has more than doubled".

The New York Times

Everyone was given a number, which we shouted out in turn, so we knew we were all still there.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"There is double the normal focus on a number, which already gets too much of a reaction," Mr. Harris said.

The New York Times

After opening "Far Away," in fact, Mr. Daldry flew back to London on Tuesday to recast Ms. Churchill's new play, "A Number," which is playing in London.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the "which" clause adds relevant information and clarifies the meaning of the number being referenced.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" in nonrestrictive clauses. "Which" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, providing extra information that is not essential to the sentence's core meaning. Using "that" can sometimes create ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a number which" functions as a relative clause marker, introducing additional information about a preceding numerical value. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a number which" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a relative clause providing additional information about a numerical value. Ludwig AI indicates its versatility across various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While alternatives like "a figure that" or "a quantity that" exist, "a number which" is widely accepted and understood. It's crucial to use "which" correctly, especially in nonrestrictive clauses to avoid ambiguity. The most frequent sources using this phrase are The Guardian, TechCrunch, and The New York Times, highlighting its prevalence in reputable media and tech publications. When writing, focus on providing relevant and clarifying information about the number to ensure clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quantity that

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing the amount rather than the numerical representation.

a figure that

Substitutes "number" with "figure", often used when referring to statistics or data.

an amount that

Uses "amount" instead of "number", suitable when referring to non-countable items or abstract measures.

a value that

Replaces "number" with "value", highlighting the significance or worth of the quantity.

a total that

Specifies that the number represents a sum or aggregate.

a sum that

Similar to "a total that", but emphasizes the result of addition.

a proportion that

Indicates the number represents a part of a whole.

a rate that

Used when the number represents a measure of change or frequency.

a coefficient that

More technical term for a specific type of number, often used in scientific contexts.

a statistic that

Highlights that the number is a calculated metric from a data set.

FAQs

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

Use "a number which" to introduce a relative clause that provides additional information about a specific number. For example, "The result yielded a number which surprised the research team."

What are some alternatives to "a number which"?

Alternatives include "a figure that", "a quantity that", or "an amount that", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "which" after "a number"?

No, it's not always necessary. If the information following the number is essential to its identification, you might use "that" instead. However, "which" is appropriate when the information is nonessential or parenthetical.

What is the difference between "a number which" and "the number that"?

"A number which" refers to one of potentially many numbers fitting a description, while "the number that" refers to a specific, unique number fulfilling a condition. The choice depends on whether you're discussing a general category or a specific instance.