a selected number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a selected number of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific, smaller group of items within a larger group. For example, "The fund will invest in a selected number of stocks that have proven to be profitable over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

However this roll out will now happen on a smaller scale, with the technology being implemented on a selected number of buses before the Games.

The Guardian

A selected number of F. proliferatum isolates showed FUMO production capability on autoclaved rice seeds [7].

Chemistry Central Journal

A selected number of sign bits are encrypted using a chaotic stream cipher.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

This procedure is repeated on a selected number of slices in the cortex.

EJNMMI Research

This section will initially present a selected number of articles dealing with some aspects of these tertiary material processing techniques.

Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering

In this article, a selected number of promising green space propellants are reviewed and investigated for various space missions.

Progress in Aerospace Sciences

A selected number of Express drivers — neither side is saying how many — will be allowed to join the UberX service in Jakarta.

TechCrunch

A selected number of P and T stations at the French Italian border, belonging to the NOAA archive, were chosen.

Earth, Planets and Space

Thus the question arises of minimizing this error for a selected number of drop size classes and of estimating its magnitude.

Chemical Engineering Science

These findings open up the possibility for controlled production of high-quality graphene with a selected number of layers in a large quantity.

Carbon

The first phase is based on the sensor (loop detector) location problem, within which, a selected number of high demand roads are identified as "candidate" critical links.

Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a selected number of", ensure that the selection criteria are clear or implied within the context to provide better understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a selected number of" when a more precise number can be provided. Specificity enhances clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a selected number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a limited and chosen quantity. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to specify that only a portion, chosen from a larger group, is being referred to.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a selected number of" is a versatile determiner phrase used to denote a specific, limited subset chosen from a larger group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts. While predominantly found in scientific and news media sources, it maintains a neutral to formal register. To enhance clarity, ensure the selection criteria are evident or implied when using this phrase, and opt for precise numbers when feasible. Remember to use other alternatives, such as "a limited quantity of" or "specific number of", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A restricted number of

Highlights the limitations in the quantity.

A limited quantity of

Focuses on the restricted amount rather than the selection process.

A small subset of

Emphasizes that the group is a part of something bigger and is not large.

A handful of

Suggests a very small and easily manageable number.

A finite number of

Highlights that the amount is countable and not infinite.

A portion of

Indicates a division of a whole into parts, with focus on the fraction.

A discrete number of

Emphasizes the separateness and individuality of each item within the count.

Certain number of

Implies that the number is definite but not necessarily specified.

Specific number of

Focuses on the precision of the amount.

Some

Is less precise and implies an indefinite but not necessarily small amount.

FAQs

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

Use "a selected number of" to refer to a specific subset chosen from a larger group. For example, "A selected number of participants were invited to the workshop".

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

You can use alternatives such as "a limited quantity of", "a small subset of", or "certain number of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a selected number of" or specify the exact quantity?

Whenever possible, specifying the exact quantity is preferable for clarity. However, use "a selected number of" when the exact quantity is unknown or not relevant.

What's the difference between "a selected number of" and "some"?

"A selected number of" implies a deliberate choice or filtering process, while "some" simply indicates an unspecified quantity.