a significant number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a quantity that is noticeable, large, or important. For example, "A significant number of people attended the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A significant number of people react negatively.

The Guardian - Opinion

A significant number of the protesters could be city employees.

The New York Times

But a significant number of the coaches are.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the review enraged a significant number of people.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he's missed a significant number of games already.

The New York Times - Sports

Molenbeek would have supplied a significant number of them.

The Guardian

A significant number of prisoners suffer from a psychotic disorders.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We still expect to deliver a significant number of staff".

The Guardian

"Obviously there are a significant number of legal consequences.

The Guardian

A significant number of claims are overturned on review.

The Guardian

A significant number of his students are women.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally placing "a significant number of" after the subject for emphasis: 'Students, a significant number of whom struggled with math, received extra tutoring.'

Common error

Avoid using "a significant number of" with uncountable nouns like "water" or "information". Use "a significant amount of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant number of" functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier, indicating a considerable quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, demonstrating its role in modifying nouns to specify amount.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant number of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a quantity that is both large and important. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal writing. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific context and desired level of formality. Avoid using it with uncountable nouns; opt for "a significant amount of" instead. Remember that using this phrase implies that the quantity is not only large but also carries some importance or impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable amount of

Replaces 'number' with 'amount', suitable for uncountable nouns, but still indicates a large quantity.

a high proportion of

Highlights the ratio or percentage, focusing on the relative size compared to the whole.

a large portion of

Emphasizes the part-whole relationship, focusing on the size of the part.

a substantial quantity of

Uses 'quantity' to highlight the measurable aspect, implying a significant amount in terms of volume or size.

a majority of

Indicates that more than half of the total is included, emphasizing dominance.

numerous

Similar to 'many' but slightly more formal, suggesting a large and indefinite number.

an abundance of

Emphasizes the plentiful or overflowing nature of the quantity.

many

A simpler, more direct way to indicate a large number, suitable for less formal contexts.

a wealth of

Suggests a rich or valuable collection, often used for resources or information.

a good deal of

Implies a large amount, often used for abstract or non-countable entities.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "a significant number of"?

Use "a significant number of" when you want to emphasize that a quantity is large and important. It is suitable when referring to countable items.

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

Alternatives include "a considerable amount of", "a large portion of", or "many", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "a significant number of" formal or informal?

"A significant number of" is generally considered neutral to formal. Simpler alternatives like "many" might be more appropriate in informal contexts.

How does "a significant number of" differ from "a large number of"?

"A significant number of" implies that the quantity is not only large but also important or noteworthy. "A large number of" simply indicates a quantity that is greater than average.