a substantial number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a substantial number of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to an unspecified large quantity of something. For example, "There were a substantial number of people in attendance at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

These schools accept a substantial number of athletes.

The Washington Post

They include a substantial number of European countries.

The Guardian

Overall, the collection is a substantial number of volumes.

Princeton University

A substantial number of fatalities occurred in businesses.

The New York Times

Still, a substantial number of Americans are not convinced.

The New York Times

There are a substantial number of unnecessary urine culture requests.

Clinical Biochemistry

Immigration lawyers say they believe that a substantial number of these men avoid deportation.

The New York Times

Building this housing can also create a substantial number of decent-paying jobs.

The New York Times

"A substantial number of people were saying, 'Where is God in this?' " SUSAN STELLIN.

The New York Times

A substantial number of those were among the unvaccinated Amish communities in Ohio.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial number of", ensure that the context provides some indication of what would be considered a 'substantial' amount for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial number of" when the actual quantity is relatively small or insignificant, as this can mislead the reader. Instead, use more precise language to accurately reflect the amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is both large and significant. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial number of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a quantity that is both large and noteworthy. According to Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media sources but also finds application in scientific and formal business contexts. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's important to ensure the context justifies the 'substantial' descriptor to avoid misleading readers. Alternative phrases such as "a significant quantity of" or "a considerable amount of" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant quantity of

This alternative emphasizes the importance of the amount being referred to.

a considerable amount of

This alternative highlights the largeness of the quantity.

a large proportion of

This alternative focuses on the fraction or percentage that the quantity represents.

a good deal of

This alternative is slightly more informal and emphasizes abundance.

a fair number of

This alternative suggests a reasonable, but not necessarily overwhelming, quantity.

a sizable portion of

This alternative is similar to 'a large proportion' but can also refer to physical size.

a healthy amount of

This suggests the quantity is not only significant but also positive or beneficial.

an appreciable quantity of

This alternative emphasizes that the amount is noticeable and worthy of consideration.

a noteworthy volume of

Volume indicates magnitude, amount or scale of something

an ample supply of

This indicates a sufficient quantity to meet a need or demand.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial number of" to indicate a large quantity of something without specifying the exact amount. For example, "A substantial number of students attended the lecture."

What's a good alternative to "a substantial number of"?

Alternatives include "a significant quantity of", "a considerable amount of", or "a large proportion of", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "a large number of" or "a substantial number of"?

"A large number of" is a more general term, while "a substantial number of" implies that the quantity is significant or noteworthy. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the importance of the quantity.

Can "a substantial number of" be used for both countable and uncountable nouns?

No, "a substantial number of" is used with countable nouns. For uncountable nouns, use phrases like "a substantial amount of".