affect the numbers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affect the numbers" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing how a particular factor or event influences numerical data or statistics. For example: "The new policy is expected to affect the numbers in the quarterly report." Alternative expressions include "impact the figures" and "influence the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I am not looking to affect the numbers of students," said Cridland.

The Guardian

These sorts of venues are really important to the mix, they would affect the numbers a lot".

The Guardian

It is easier for analysts to forecast earnings if they know that uncontrollable variables won't affect the numbers.

The New York Times

All that said, there are lots of unknowns ahead - including how military families now living overseas could affect the numbers.

The New York Times

Prices affect the numbers: when commodities are expensive, they will account for a larger share of exports and imports.

The Economist

"The emotion of the tragedy will affect the numbers, but we don't know how," he said in an interview a week and a day after the tragedy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

That could affect the number of entrepreneurs willing to start a small business.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Condit said the internal merger would not affect the number of employees in the various units.

The New York Times

The move away from traditional subscription purchases can also affect the number of concerts an institution presents each year.

The New York Times - Arts

"The sector will undoubtedly be up in arms arguing that this will affect the number of new homes being built.

The Guardian

How any of these changes may affect the number of coal mining injuries and deaths is unclear.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "affect the numbers", ensure the context clearly specifies which numbers are being influenced. Be precise to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something "affects the numbers", it is the sole cause. Consider other contributing factors to provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affect the numbers" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of influencing or changing numerical data. Ludwig examples confirm its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "affect the numbers" is a versatile expression used to describe how something influences numerical data or statistics. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used in diverse contexts, including science, news, and business. While alternatives like "influence the statistics" or "impact the figures" can be used, it's important to maintain precision and avoid assuming sole causation when interpreting how factors "affect the numbers". The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news media sources, suggesting its broad applicability across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influence the statistics

Replaces "affect" with "influence" and "numbers" with "statistics", focusing on statistical data.

impact the figures

Substitutes "affect" with "impact" and "numbers" with "figures", suggesting a significant effect on numerical values.

alter the data

Uses "alter" instead of "affect" and "data" instead of "numbers", indicating a change in the dataset.

change the results

Replaces "affect" with "change" and "numbers" with "results", emphasizing the outcome of a process.

modify the quantities

Substitutes "affect" with "modify" and "numbers" with "quantities", implying an adjustment to specific amounts.

shift the totals

Uses "shift" instead of "affect" and "totals" instead of "numbers", suggesting a movement in aggregate sums.

have an effect on the metrics

Rephrases the sentence to use "have an effect on" and replaces "numbers" with "metrics", focusing on performance measurements.

play a role in the figures

Changes the structure to indicate involvement in the outcome represented by "figures".

contribute to the data

Indicates a contribution to the overall "data" set rather than a direct effect.

factor into the results

Implies that something is considered as a component of the "results".

FAQs

How can I use "affect the numbers" in a sentence?

You can use "affect the numbers" to describe how a particular action or event influences numerical data. For instance, "The new marketing campaign is expected to affect the numbers in the next quarterly report."

What's a good alternative to "affect the numbers"?

Consider using alternatives such as "influence the statistics", "impact the figures", or "alter the data" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "effect the numbers" instead of "affect the numbers"?

No, "affect" is the correct verb to use here. "Affect" means to have an influence on something, whereas "effect" is typically used as a noun meaning a result or consequence. Therefore, "affect the numbers" is the grammatically correct choice.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "affect the numbers"?

It's appropriate in various contexts where numerical data is being analyzed or discussed, such as business reports, scientific studies, and news articles. For example, "Changes in interest rates can significantly affect the numbers in the housing market."