a valuable number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valuable number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant quantity or amount of something that holds importance or worth. Example: "The research team gathered a valuable number of samples to ensure the accuracy of their findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A bioinformatic procedure was applied independently on both families, revealing a valuable number of orthologous genes in each of the two bacterial taxa.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

We allowed 2% in consideration of typographical errors, and hypothesized that a valuable number of EQA diagnoses could be 30 (2% of 1500 diagnoses), keeping in mind an artificial assumption that the highest number of wrong diagnoses can be equivalent to the number of histological glass slides that run in a annual EQA program.

BMC Clinical Pathology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The card's serial number, he said, is 17 out of 25, a valuable number in the series because 17 is Lin's jersey number.

The New York Times

Gay pornography, too, can be a valuable resource; a number of youths I spoke with, male and female, said that the availability of online porn had proved critical to their discovery of their sexual orientation.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Justice Department sends Congress a letter insisting that the business records provision addresses a gap in intelligence collection authorities and has proven valuable in a number of contexts … [including] important and highly sensitive intelligence collection operations.

The New Yorker

The application of cultivation-independent methods as an alternative to assess bacterial viability is highly valuable for a number of reasons.

BMC Genomics

It's an incremental upgrade — a number of valuable features have been added, but there's no real revamp to be seen.

TechCrunch

The information about old cases could prove valuable in a number of ways, prosecutors said.

The New York Times

Officials say the program has proven valuable in a number of foreign and domestic terrorism investigations, and led to the 2003 capture of the most wanted Qaeda fugitive in Southeast Asia, known as Hambali.

The New York Times

The concept of elementary flux vector is valuable in a number of applications of metabolic engineering.

Automatica

The ability to compute this path in real time is valuable in a number of situations.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a valuable number of", ensure the context clearly establishes why the number is considered valuable. Providing specific details or examples enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a valuable number of" when the quantity is not genuinely significant or important. Overstating the value can undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valuable number of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying and attributing worth to a certain amount or count. It signifies that the mentioned quantity is not only present but also holds significance or importance. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a valuable number of" is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize that a certain quantity is not only present but also important or beneficial. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase effectively communicates the significance of the amount. When using this phrase, ensure that the value is clearly substantiated within the context. While versatile, it is more commonly found in formal, scientific, and news-related contexts where the worth of a particular quantity needs emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valuable quantity of

Similar to the original phrase but places more emphasis on the "quantity" itself being valuable.

a significant quantity of

Emphasizes the size or importance of the amount.

a considerable amount of

Highlights that the amount is noteworthy and should not be dismissed.

a worthwhile quantity of

Focuses on the value and benefit derived from the amount.

a beneficial number of

Emphasizes the positive effects or advantages associated with the number.

a substantial number of

Implies the amount is large and meaningful.

an appreciable number of

Suggests the amount is noticeable and can have an effect.

a meaningful amount of

Emphasizes that the amount is important and not trivial.

a notable quantity of

Highlights that the quantity is worth paying attention to.

a remarkable number of

Suggests the amount is surprisingly large or significant.

FAQs

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

You can use "a valuable number of" to describe a quantity that is both significant and important. For example, "The study provided a valuable number of insights into the topic."

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

Alternatives include "a significant quantity of", "a considerable amount of", or "a substantial number of", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a valuable number of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a valuable number of" is suitable for formal writing, especially when emphasizing the importance of a specific quantity. However, ensure that the context warrants the use of the term "valuable".

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

"A large number of" simply indicates quantity, while "a valuable number of" implies that the quantity is important or beneficial. Use "a valuable number of" when you want to highlight the worth or significance of the quantity.