a steady number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a steady number" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe a consistent or stable quantity or amount. You can use this phrase in a sentence when talking about a specific number or quantity that remains constant over a period of time. For example: - The company has maintained a steady number of employees for the past five years. - The population of the city has remained at a steady number for the past decade. - The study showed a steady number of participants over the course of six months. - The team captain was proud of their steady number of wins throughout the season. - The stock market has seen a steady number of investors in recent months.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"We've always had a steady number of incoming phone calls, but now it's full-time".

The New York Times

Over the past six years, the University has undertaken a steady number of projects to that end.

Columbia University

But there appear to be a steady number of military veterans and dealers still eager to buy.

The New York Times

In some cases, these efforts involved full-blown government bureaucracies, with a steady number of employees and fixed payrolls.

The Washington Post

But lately, Dr. Michael Nuccitelli, the executive director of the clinic, has been seeing a steady number of job seekers, particularly former retirees who have had to go back to work because of financial reversals.

The New York Times

Ryan, who spoke first, argued for passing a version of the Senate bill, saying that reforming the immigration system would strengthen the economy, supplying U.S. companies with a steady number of immigrants to take jobs that other Americans didn't want.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Figure  2, showing the publication rate by year, demonstrates a steady increase in the number of publications over the last two decades.

BMC Geriatrics

That advocacy group said its annual study had found a decline in the total number of gay and lesbian characters on network television this season versus the 2010-2011 televiseasoneason, but a relatively steady number of such characters on cable.

The New York Times

The normal daily rhythm that would lead to a high, steady number of counts during daylight hours and low counts during the night was replaced by occasional bursts of activity.

The Economist

In any given quarter, there's a pretty steady number of companies that realize what they do in HR can be done by someone else.

Forbes

Since the mid-1990s, a relatively steady number of Sahrawi refugees have emigrated to work in Spain (with smaller numbers going to other countries) to support their families in the camps, and emigration was often bankrolled by Spanish pensions.

Pastoralism

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a steady number" when you want to convey stability and consistency over time. It's particularly effective when contrasting with periods of fluctuation or uncertainty. For example, "Despite market volatility, our company maintained a steady number of clients."

Common error

Avoid using "a steady number" when the quantity is actually increasing or decreasing consistently. "Steady" implies a lack of significant change. If there's a trend, use phrases like "a growing number" or "a declining number" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steady number" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that remains relatively constant over time. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to describe consistency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a steady number" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively communicates the concept of a consistent or stable quantity over time. Primarily utilized in contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Academia, this phrase conveys neutrality suitable for informative contexts. While alternatives like "a consistent amount" and "a stable quantity" exist, understanding the specific nuances of each will help you use them in the correct context. Remember, "a steady number" suggests consistency, so avoid using it when there are noticeable increases or decreases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a consistent amount

Focuses on the consistency of the amount rather than the stability of the number itself.

a stable quantity

Emphasizes the stability of the quantity, implying it doesn't fluctuate much.

a constant rate

Highlights the unchanging nature of the rate at which something occurs or changes.

a fixed quantity

Implies that the quantity is predetermined and not subject to change.

a regular flow

Suggests a continuous and even stream of something, rather than a specific number.

a consistent stream

Similar to 'regular flow', emphasizing the continuous and unchanging nature of the flow.

a stable level

Indicates that the level of something is maintained without significant fluctuations.

an unvarying quantity

Stresses the lack of variation in the quantity.

a static figure

Emphasizes that the figure remains unchanged over time.

a predictable volume

Highlights the ability to forecast the volume, suggesting its stability.

FAQs

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

Use "a steady number" to describe something that remains relatively constant over a period of time. For instance, "The museum has seen "a steady number" of visitors each month."

What are some alternatives to "a steady number"?

You can use alternatives like "a consistent amount", "a stable quantity", or "a constant rate" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a steady amount" instead of "a steady number"?

While both are grammatically correct, "a steady number" is best used when referring to countable items, whereas "a steady amount" is more appropriate for non-countable quantities.

What's the difference between "a steady number" and "a growing number"?

"A steady number" indicates stability and consistency, whereas "a growing number" indicates an increase over time. They describe opposite trends.