a safe number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a safe number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a number that is considered secure, reliable, or within a range that minimizes risk. Example: "For our project budget, we decided to allocate a safe number to ensure we have enough funds for unexpected expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"It's not really a safe number.

The New York Times

Decades of conservation gradually brought them back to a safe number.

Independent

It seems like a safe number is five, though six gives more breathing room.

The New York Times

A year ago, Darren Clarke nailed down the 125th spot on the money list at about $660,000, and Tour officials say $700,000 is a safe number.

The New York Times - Sports

No one knows how many elephants are being poached each year, but many leading conservationists agree that "tens of thousands" is a safe number and that 2012 is likely to be worse than 2011.

The New York Times

"Someone's going to have to make a determination on what's a safe number of people for a lifeguard to guard," said Martin Foncello, Brookfield's first selectman, who said he does not dispute the ruling and is prepared to follow it the best he can.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Syrians, he says, tend to have more savings so they are paying more to go on boats with a safer number of passengers.

The Guardian

"The game seems to be that all countries pick a politically safe number," said Mr. Dubash, an analyst with the Center for Policy Research.

The New York Times

"It was seen as a politically safe number to use absent help from the Secretary".

The New Yorker

He said that Mourning still feels good and that he was confident he could keep Mourning's potassium level at a relatively safe number for everyday activity.

The New York Times - Sports

We also calculated a fail safe number [21] for the meta-data set using the fail-safe number calculator [38] to estimate the number of non-significant, unpublished and or missing studies that would be needed to change the significant result to a non-significant result.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In financial contexts, specify the units associated with "a safe number", such as currency, percentage, or other relevant metrics, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a safe number" without context. The safety of a number depends heavily on the situation. Always provide enough information so the reader understands why the number is considered safe in the specific context. Don't assume the reader will automatically know.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a safe number" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "safe" modifies the noun "number". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, indicating that it is employed to describe a numerical value that is considered secure or reliable in a given context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a safe number" is a phrase used to denote a numerical value considered secure, reliable, or within acceptable risk parameters. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Although not exceedingly common, this phrase appears with notable frequency in news, scientific, and general informational sources. To ensure clarity, always provide sufficient context when using "a safe number" to avoid ambiguity and explicitly define the criteria that make the number 'safe'. While alternatives such as ""a secure quantity"" or ""a reliable figure"" exist, "a safe number" provides a succinct way to express the concept of numerical security.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a secure quantity

Emphasizes the security aspect rather than the potential for harm or risk.

a reliable figure

Focuses on the dependability and trustworthiness of the number.

a conservative estimate

Highlights the cautious and lower-end nature of the number.

an acceptable threshold

Refers to a limit or boundary considered permissible.

a prudent amount

Stresses the careful and wise nature of the quantity.

a reasonable quota

Suggests a fair and justifiable limit or allocation.

a defensible value

Implies the number can be justified or supported with evidence.

a sound calculation

Highlights the accuracy and validity of the numerical result.

a buffered margin

Focuses on creating padding for safety and maneuverability.

a politically safe number

Implies the number is not only physically safe but also harmless in terms of opinions.

FAQs

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

You can use "a safe number" to refer to a quantity or value that is considered secure or reliable in a specific context. For example, "The engineer recommended using "a safe number" of supports to ensure the bridge's stability."

What are some alternatives to "a safe number"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a secure quantity", "a reliable figure", or "a conservative estimate".

What does it mean for a number to be considered "safe"?

A "safe" number usually implies that the number is within an acceptable range that minimizes risk or potential harm. The criteria for safety vary depending on the situation.

Is there a universal definition of "a safe number"?

No, the definition of what constitutes "a safe number" depends on the context in which it is used. In finance, it might refer to a debt-to-income ratio; in engineering, it could refer to a load-bearing capacity.