an large number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an large number of" is not correct in written English.
It should be "a large number of" instead, as "large" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "There are a large number of participants in the study."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

While an large number of material constants are needed in the general case, we show that under simplifying assumptions, the behavior of the interface can be written in terms of only eight material constants.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

The company has also had to contend with the deregulation of the directory inquiries market, which has spawned an large number of new services including 118 118, which has established itself with the help of two 70s style runners who feature in its ads.

The Guardian

BAT and IBIS/ISGRI are coded-mask detectors having two major advantages: 1) they have a huge field of view, hence allowing to detect an large number of AGNs; 2) they operate at soft gamma-rays, hence collecting photons that are energetic enough to pierce efficiently through the gas-dust structure surrounding the SMBH.

Nuclear Physics B - Proceedings Supplements

Apparently thieves gained entry to the office and made off with an large number of computers and other materials.

Forbes

There have been an large number of studies done in an attempt to establish the fact that patients should try to move towards spirituality, especially in cases of terminal diseases when death is inevitable.

HuffPost

This means that we asked the panel of experts to score an large number of indications that were unlikely to be present in clinical practice.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As the brain develops, a large number of neurons and a large number of connections among them are created.

The New York Times - Science

A large number of people entering a region.

Huffington Post

This is a large number of Americans, usually a majority.

HuffPost

He said the military operation succeeded in "neutralising a large number of terrorists and freeing a large number of hostages..

The Guardian

And on a large number of humans.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article "a" instead of "an" before "large number of" because "large" starts with a consonant sound. For example, use "a large number of participants" not "an large number of participants".

Common error

Avoid using "an" before words that begin with a consonant sound. "An" is typically used before vowel sounds. Remember to say "a large number" not "an large number".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an large number of" is intended to function as a determiner phrase, quantifying a noun. However, the incorrect use of the article renders it grammatically flawed. Ludwig AI highlights this error, suggesting correction to "a large number of".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an large number of" is grammatically incorrect due to the improper use of the article "an" before the consonant sound of "large". The correct form is "a large number of". While the phrase appears in various sources, including news and scientific articles, it's crucial to use the grammatically correct version. Ludwig AI identifies this error and suggests appropriate corrections. Consider using alternatives like "a significant number of" or "many" depending on the context to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large number of

Corrects the grammatical error by using the correct article "a" instead of "an".

a significant number of

Replaces "large" with "significant", emphasizing the importance or impact of the quantity.

a considerable number of

Uses "considerable" to highlight the size or amount is noteworthy.

a great number of

Emphasizes the magnitude using "great" as an alternative to "large".

numerous

A concise adjective indicating a large quantity.

many

A more common and simpler way to express a large quantity.

a multitude of

Implies a very large and often varied collection.

a host of

Suggests a large and impressive group or collection.

a plethora of

Indicates an excessive or abundant quantity.

loads of

An informal way to express a large quantity.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an large number of"?

The correct way to say it is "a large number of". The article "a" should be used before words that begin with a consonant sound.

What are some alternatives to saying "a large number of"?

You can use phrases like "a significant number of", "a considerable number of", or simply "many" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a large number of" and "many"?

While both indicate a substantial quantity, "a large number of" is a more formal expression. "Many" is suitable for general use.

When should I use "a large number of" instead of "an large number of"?

You should always use "a large number of" because the word "large" starts with a consonant sound. The article "an" is reserved for words that begin with a vowel sound.