among their number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among their number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who are part of a larger group or category. Example: "There are many talented artists among their number, each contributing uniquely to the collective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sport

Lifestyle

Books

Opinion

Travel

TV & Radio

Money

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am sometimes among their number.

The Guardian - Music

Soofi himself is not among their number.

The Guardian - Arts

Among their number are painters Vernet and Hubert Robert.

The Guardian - Arts

The groom's brother, Ian, was also among their number.

The Guardian

(Curiously, no sportsmen or women were among their number).

The Guardian - Sport

Raonic has proved he is among their number.

The Guardian - Sport

One couple among their number were on honeymoon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Among their number, early on, was the rakish Lord Byron.

The New York Times

Mr Cameron is fated to be among their number".

Independent

Some among their number, indeed, may not survive.

The Economist

Benjamin Rabier, an illustrator, strip-cartoon author and publicity designer, is among their number.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "among their number" to introduce specific examples or individuals within a larger group, providing concrete illustrations of a broader trend or characteristic.

Common error

Avoid using "among their number" when the group is not clearly defined or easily identifiable. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among their number" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a specific instance or member of a previously mentioned group. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Arts

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "among their number" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the inclusion of someone or something within a larger group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. As seen in numerous examples, it is most commonly used in news and media, arts, and sports contexts. While alternatives such as "included in their group" and "within their ranks" exist, "among their number" offers a slightly more formal tone suitable for professional communication. When using this phrase, ensure the group you are referencing is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Be aware of the importance of identifying the group clearly to prevent misinterpretations. Overall, "among their number" is a reliable and effective way to highlight specific members within a broader collective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of their members

Focuses on individual membership within the group.

included in their group

Replaces the preposition "among" with "included in" and uses the general term "group".

part of their membership

Substitutes "number" with "membership", focusing on belonging to an organization.

within their ranks

Uses "ranks" to imply a hierarchical structure within the group.

in their company

Emphasizes the presence of someone within a group, highlighting association.

counted among them

Changes the structure to passive voice, emphasizing the act of being counted or included.

present in their assembly

Refers to a gathering or meeting, implying a more formal setting.

belonging to their category

Uses 'category' to refer to the group as a broader classification.

represented in their selection

Implies a curated group, highlighting that the individual was chosen.

integrated into their body

Emphasizes incorporation into a collective, especially used for organisations.

FAQs

How can I use "among their number" in a sentence?

You can use "among their number" to indicate that someone or something is included within a larger group. For example, "Several talented musicians are "among their number", contributing to the orchestra's success".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "among their number"?

Alternatives include "included in their group", "within their ranks", or "one of their members", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "among their number" or "in their group"?

"Among their number" generally carries a slightly more formal tone compared to "in their group", making it suitable for academic or professional writing. "In their group" is more commonly used in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "among their number" and "among their numbers"?

"Among their number" refers to people or items included within a group, while "among their numbers" (which is far less common) could refer to a specific statistic or figure within a set of data related to that group.