an invalid number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an invalid number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a number does not meet the required criteria or format, such as in programming, mathematics, or data entry. Example: "The system returned an error message indicating that the input was an invalid number."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Sorry, you have selected an invalid number.

The New Yorker

Mr Power, 35, who drives a £70,000 Ferrari convertible, jumped bail while facing allegations of displaying an invalid number plate and tax discs belonging to other vehicles.

The Guardian - Business

†9 respondents answered an invalid number for age.

BMC Infectious Diseases

An invalid number was a number that was not used as a telephone number.

BMJ Open

An invalid number returned nothing, a valid number returned a customer email address.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Jim Devine, MP for Livingston, first got in trouble over his expenses when he submitted invoices for electrical work worth £2,157 from a company with an allegedly fake address and an invalid VAT number.

The Guardian

For instance, a violation of CM1 happens when f+1 servers detect that a client c submitted a transaction with an invalid sequence number.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Of these, 4518 (0.16%) had an invalid NHS number and 3577 (0.13%) had a missing Townsend score leaving 2 849 381 eligible patients for analysis.

BMJ Open

For the target households an additional eligibility criterion was supply of recycled water Overall 84% of households were contacted by telephone and only 4% of households had an invalid telephone number.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

After excluding individuals who were not alive on or not diagnosed with HIV by April 1, 2009, those who had an invalid OHIP number (n = 9,046), and those with an HIV diagnosis date after their date of death (n = 1), there remained 14,282 individuals aged 18 years or older in our HIV cohort.

BMC Health Services Research

From the 5501 cases in the initial survey, 281 were deemed lost due to having an invalid phone number or had moved away; 1544 cases were not at home, did not answer the phone, or the line was busy; and 162 cases refused to participate in the interview.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an invalid number" in technical documentation, clearly define what constitutes a valid number in that specific context. This avoids ambiguity and helps users understand the requirements.

Common error

Avoid using "an invalid number" when the data is simply missing. An invalid number implies the presence of a value that fails validation, while missing data indicates the absence of a value altogether. Use appropriate terms like "missing value" or "null" in cases where data is absent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an invalid number" functions as a noun phrase, where "invalid" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "number". Ludwig confirms it is correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an invalid number" correctly identifies a numerical value that doesn't meet specified criteria. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and technical documentation. While not very common, it serves a crucial purpose in error handling and data validation. When using this phrase, it's important to define the criteria for a valid number to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "an incorrect number" or "a malformed number" depending on the specific context. Avoiding confusion with missing data ensures clarity in technical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an incorrect number

Replaces "invalid" with "incorrect", implying a factual error in the number.

an erroneous number

Uses "erroneous" for a more formal tone, suggesting a mistake in the number.

a non-valid number

Directly negates "valid", maintaining a similar level of formality.

a malformed number

Emphasizes that the number is incorrectly structured or formatted.

an unacceptable number

Highlights that the number does not meet required standards or criteria.

an illegitimate number

Suggests the number is not permissible or authorized for use.

a faulty number

Indicates that the number has a defect or flaw.

a bogus number

Implies the number is fake or fraudulent.

a spurious number

Suggests the number appears valid but is actually false.

a corrupted number

Indicates the number has been damaged or altered, making it unusable.

FAQs

How can I use "an invalid number" in a sentence?

You can use "an invalid number" to describe a numerical value that does not meet certain criteria. For example, "The system flagged the entry as an invalid number because it contained letters."

What's the difference between "an invalid number" and "an incorrect number"?

"An invalid number" suggests the number doesn't conform to a defined format or rule, while "an incorrect number" implies a factual error. For instance, a phone number with the wrong number of digits is "an invalid number", while a misspelled account number is "an incorrect number".

What are some alternatives to "an invalid number"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an erroneous number", "a malformed number", or "an unacceptable number".

In what situations would I encounter "an invalid number"?

You might encounter "an invalid number" when entering data into a form, processing financial transactions, or working with databases that require specific number formats or ranges.