a strong number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strong number of" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used when trying to emphasize a significant quantity or amount of something, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "There was a strong number of participants at the event, indicating a high level of interest."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

According to the Silicon Alley Insider Goldman Sachs says a "strong number" of executives surveyed say they expect to support the iPhone 3G within the next year.

TechCrunch

Nintendo needs a new console desperately even – and this is important – as they keep selling a strong number of the consoles even today.

TechCrunch

"A strong number of patients with concussion have depression symptoms, but in boxing concussion is very badly diagnosed - as is depression - so I think the two go hand in hand in the sport".

BBC

This result was not expected because it is generally accepted that the number of citations is a good predictor to the quality of research work and, thus, prominent researchers might be those with a strong number of citations.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

It's not definitive -- huge chunks of his career are not covered here -- but as with any era of his work, it contains a strong number of genuine classics: Rear Window, Psycho, Vertigo, North By Northwest and Shadow Of A Doubt to be specific.

Huffington Post

So, if there were to come a time that lie detector evidence were as reliable as, say, fingerprint or DNA testing -- put aside the "integrity" of the collection process (raised so well in the O. J. Simpson case) -- presumably a strong number of Justices would be quite fine with lie detector experts basically being game, set, match for criminal prosecutions, right?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Our expectations of a strong association between number of referrals and number of staff members involved in referral assessment, was not confirmed (Pearson r = 0.31).

BMC Health Services Research

While the U.N. is putting the pressure on world leaders to take a stronger stance, a number of inescapable crises stood in the way of developing meaningful progress.

Huffington Post

Due to increased energy prices, which could rise even faster as the global economy grows stronger, a number of Key Private Bank's clients are wary of rising inflation.

Forbes

It is found that Nusselt number is a strong function of Rayleigh number and wall thickness, and a weak function of conductivity ratio.

Applied Thermal Engineering

However, as expected, there was a strong association between number of children and likelihood of breastfeeding.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you aim to convey not just quantity but also force or impact, make the impact explicit: "a strong influence on", not "a strong number of influencers".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "strong" to describe quantities. Using it repeatedly can weaken your writing. Vary your vocabulary with alternatives like "substantial", "significant", or "considerable" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong number of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun. However, as Ludwig AI suggests, its usage is somewhat non-standard. While grammatically functional, it may not be the most idiomatic choice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a strong number of" isn't technically incorrect, Ludwig AI suggests that it's not the most standard or effective way to express a significant quantity. It's more common to use alternatives like "a large number of", "a substantial amount of", or "a significant quantity of" for better clarity and impact. As supported by the analysis of real-world examples, the phrase appears in both News & Media and Science contexts, but its uncommon frequency suggests that writers should carefully consider more conventional alternatives to improve their writing's clarity and elegance. Always aim for precision in conveying quantity and its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial quantity of

Emphasizes the considerable amount or size of something.

a significant amount of

Highlights the importance or impact of the quantity.

a considerable amount of

Indicates that the quantity is noteworthy or appreciable.

a large quantity of

Focuses on the great size or number.

a good deal of

A more informal way to express a large amount or quantity.

a plentiful supply of

Suggests an abundance or ample provision.

an abundance of

Highlights the great quantity or profusion.

a sizable number of

Emphasizes that the number is fairly large or impressive.

a notable quantity of

Implies that the quantity is worthy of attention.

an impressive number of

Focuses on the admirable or remarkable quality of the number.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a strong number of"?

You can use alternatives like "a substantial quantity of", "a significant amount of", or "a large number of" depending on the context.

Is "a strong number of" grammatically correct?

While not technically incorrect, Ludwig AI indicates that "a strong number of" is not standard English and may sound awkward. It's better to use more conventional expressions for quantity.

How to use "a strong number of" in a sentence?

You can use "a strong number of" to emphasize a significant quantity, but consider whether alternatives like "a considerable amount of" or "a significant quantity of" might be clearer.

What's the difference between "a strong number of" and "a large number of"?

"A large number of" is a more common and widely accepted way to indicate a significant quantity. "A strong number of" attempts to add emphasis but isn't as effective as more precise language focused on the impact of that quantity.