a substantial number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a substantial number' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large quantity of something. For example: "We received a substantial number of applications for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A substantial number were subsequently lost.

The New York Times - Arts

A substantial number are found homes.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're selling a substantial number of articles every day online".

The Guardian

Smoking was blamed for a substantial number, 28.

The New York Times

For a substantial number, no reason is given.

The Guardian

"This is a substantial number," she added, speaking of Wixom.

The New York Times

Overall, the collection is a substantial number of volumes.

Princeton University

serve a substantial number and percentage of underserved students.

Cornell University

These schools accept a substantial number of athletes.

The Washington Post

They include a substantial number of European countries.

The Guardian

But a substantial number don't get adequate assistance.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a substantial number" with precise metrics to enhance credibility. Instead of just stating there are "a substantial number" of users, consider saying "a substantial number – over 50,000 – of users".

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial number" for quantities that are not genuinely significant within the context. Inflating small figures diminishes the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial number" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is considered large or significant. It suggests that the quantity is not just any number, but one that is worthy of note. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial number" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a significantly large quantity. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While appropriate for various contexts, including news, academia, and science, it is essential to ensure the quantity genuinely warrants the emphasis. When a less formal tone is needed, alternatives such as "many" or "a lot of" may be more suitable. Remember to use it to enhance the reader's understanding and highlight important quantities, but avoid overuse or exaggeration, as it can diminish the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable amount

Emphasizes the amount is worthy of attention or consideration due to its size.

a significant quantity

Highlights the importance or impact of the quantity.

a large proportion

Focuses on the quantity relative to a whole.

a good deal

Suggests a sizable amount, often in a less formal context.

a sizable portion

Indicates a considerable part or share.

a high volume

Highlights the number of something, usually in an official context.

a major segment

Emphasizes that the quantity represents a significant part of a group.

a great many

Implies a large number, often used for countable items.

a respectable number

Highlights that the quantity is satisfactory and worthy of respect.

a plentiful supply

Suggests abundance, rather than just a large number.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial number" to indicate a quantity that is significantly large. For instance, "A substantial number of students participated in the survey."

What's a less formal alternative to "a substantial number"?

If you're aiming for a less formal tone, consider using phrases like "a lot of", "many", or "quite a few" instead of "a substantial number".

Is "substantial amount" interchangeable with "a substantial number"?

While both phrases indicate a significant quantity, "substantial amount" is generally used for uncountable nouns (e.g., "a substantial amount of effort"), whereas "a substantial number" is used for countable nouns (e.g., "a substantial number of books").

What's the difference between "a significant number" and "a substantial number"?

Both phrases indicate a large quantity, but "a significant number" emphasizes the importance or impact of the quantity, while "a substantial number" primarily emphasizes the size or amount.