a secondary number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a secondary number of" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you are discussing a secondary or additional quantity related to a primary number, but clarity is essential. Example: "The study revealed a secondary number of participants who showed interest in the follow-up survey."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Each outbreak has an initial number of cases A and a secondary number of cases Z.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If they completed a secondary education, the number of these child brides would be reduced by two-thirds, saving two million girls from this fate.

The Guardian

Extramedullary haematopoiesis, secondary to a number of conditions such as myelofibrosis, is another rare cause of omental caking (Fig. 25).

Insights into Imaging

Detection of EPE was at most a secondary endpoint of a number of studies, and many investigations analyzed low- and high-risk groups separately.

BioMed Research International

Some abnormal phenotypes are clearly not primary effects; for example, reduced weight may be a secondary consequence of a number of different primary defects.

Cell

All 3 index cases resulted in a similar number of secondary cases (range 10 18 secondary cases).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Of these, 51 were pleiotropic/linked, affecting a substantial number of secondary metabolites; nine were specific to individual secondary metabolites.

BMC Genomics

Most of them attend government secondary schools, although a number of private, fee-paying secondary schools exist.

Unicef

The gravel pit has a primary and secondary crusher, generator, a number of loaders and excavators, and an electronic scale.

Bplans

Thus increased activation of the motor cortex cannot simply be explained as a secondary result of an increased number of actions due to longer detection latencies in patients with passivity symptoms.

Brain

Its location, on the border with Austria, means it receives a disproportionate number of secondary migrants.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a secondary number of", ensure the primary number or context is clearly established to avoid confusion. Clearly define what 'secondary' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "a secondary number of" if the relationship between the primary and secondary numbers is unclear. Use more specific language to describe the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a secondary number of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying an amount that is additional or subordinate to a primary quantity. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, its usage denotes a subsequent or less significant number. The Ludwig AI indicates this phrase isn't commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a secondary number of" is used to indicate an additional or subordinate quantity, but as noted by Ludwig AI, it's not particularly common and may sound awkward. While grammatically acceptable, alternatives like "an additional number of" or "a supplementary number of" might offer greater clarity. The usage appears across various contexts like science, news, and business, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the relationship between the primary and secondary numbers is clear. Overall, be mindful of the potential for ambiguity and consider more direct phrasing when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an additional number of

Replaces "secondary" with "additional", emphasizing the supplementary nature of the quantity.

a supplementary number of

Uses "supplementary" instead of "secondary", highlighting that the quantity is providing something extra.

a further number of

Emphasizes that the quantity is in addition to what has already been mentioned.

a subsequent number of

Indicates that the quantity follows after something else in time or sequence.

a subordinate number of

Focuses on the lower importance or rank of the quantity.

a minor number of

Highlights that the quantity is small or less significant.

a smaller number of

Implies the quantity is less than a primary or expected amount.

an alternative number of

Suggests a different quantity or option from the original.

a second set of

Refers to a duplicate, copy, or match of a thing already mentioned.

a group of

It's a general and not specific reference to an indefinite collection of things.

FAQs

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

You can use "a secondary number of" to indicate an additional quantity related to a primary one, for example: "The study revealed a secondary number of participants who showed interest in the follow-up survey".

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

You can use alternatives like "an additional number of" or "a supplementary number of", depending on the context.

Is "a secondary number of" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "a secondary number of" isn't very common. Ludwig AI indicates it is acceptable, but clarity is important. Consider alternatives for better flow and understanding.

When should I avoid using "a secondary number of"?

Avoid using "a secondary number of" if the relationship between the numbers isn't clear. In such cases, "an additional number of" or "a supplementary number of" are more direct and understandable.