across a number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across a number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something applies to or is relevant in various instances or categories. Example: "The study revealed significant trends across a number of demographic groups."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They made a few mistakes over the last few weeks – across a number of different things.

The Guardian - Sport

Over 5.3m app downloads - audiences continue to consume the Guardian across a number of platforms.

The Guardian

"We are introducing across a number of government activities payments by result.

The Guardian

The report found that Australia was above average across a number of measures.

The Guardian - Business

Mullah Omar, however, has proved stubborn and intractable across a number of years and settings.

The New Yorker

Robots have already been put to work across a number of industries.

The Guardian

Its French subsidiary, created in 1990, employs 400 people across a number of sites.

The Guardian

"Old, fragile IT systems are a feature across a number of banks, not just RBS.

The Guardian - Business

"That conclusion leaps across a number of chasms of scientific evidence".

The Guardian

The information on which a trader based his decisions was scattered across a number of databases.

The New Yorker

Instead, we saw consistent big audiences spread across a number of stories".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "across a number of" to indicate distribution or application to multiple items or categories, ensuring clarity and avoiding overly specific numbers when the exact quantity is not crucial.

Common error

While versatile, "across a number of" can sometimes sound verbose in very formal writing. Consider using more concise alternatives like "in several" or "various" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across a number of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate that something is distributed or applicable to multiple items or categories. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "across a number of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something applies to multiple items or categories without specifying an exact quantity. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, remember that while generally suitable, more concise options like "in several" or "various" might be preferable in very formal contexts. Understanding its function and purpose helps ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in several of

Uses "several" to imply more than two but not many, focusing on a limited quantity.

across several of

Mirrors the original structure but replaces "a number" with "several" for brevity.

in a number of

Similar in meaning, but omits "across", focusing on inclusion within a quantity.

onto a number of

Indicates distribution or application to multiple items.

into a number of

Suggests transformation or division into multiple parts.

across a variety of

Emphasizes the diverse nature of the items being considered.

across a range of

Highlights the spectrum or scope of the items.

across a series of

Indicates a sequential or ordered set of items.

across a host of

Implies a large quantity or multitude of items.

within a number of

Indicates something is contained or exists inside multiple items.

FAQs

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

Use "across a number of" to show that something applies to multiple items or areas. For example, "The new policy changes will be implemented across a number of departments."

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

You can use alternatives like "in several of", "across several of", or "in a number of" depending on the context.

Is "across a number of" formal or informal?

"Across a number of" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but consider using more concise options like "various" or "several" in very formal writing to maintain brevity.

What is the difference between "across a number of" and "across a variety of"?

"Across a number of" emphasizes quantity, while "across a "variety of"" emphasizes diversity. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.