an official count

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an official count" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a formal tally or enumeration, often in contexts like elections, census data, or inventory assessments. Example: "The election commission announced an official count of the votes, confirming the results of the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The park corporation has not made an official count yet this summer of weekend use.

The New York Times

"We know that several hundred died, but there was never an official count done of security contractors dead in Iraq.

The New York Times

By an official count after his death, the Director held 883 files on senators and 722 on congressmen.

The Guardian - Film

A. While no one seems to keep an official count, a good indicator is the phone book.

The New York Times

Wolves have been slaughtering vast numbers of sheep here — at least 20,000 in just the past five years, according to an official count.

The New York Times

The cyclone captured international attention by killing some 139,000 people, an official count that could be way off in either direction.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

An important first step would be to finally get an accurate official count of Afro-Cubans.

The New York Times

By an inexact official count, the Dominicans in the city are now 400,000 strong.

The New York Times

Plenty of powerful people are keen to keep that quiet, so the prospects for a new official count are dim.Counting can be even more dangerous than being counted.

The Economist

The agency will also do a rare official count of people who live on the streets and try to bring more of them into the shelter system.

The New York Times

A few hours later, the official count, by an election commission under Mr. Chávez's control, declared him the winner, with 58percentt of the total.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an official count", ensure the source of the count is credible and verifiable to maintain accuracy and trust.

Common error

Avoid labeling estimates or preliminary data as "an official count". Always verify that the count comes from an authorized source before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "an official count" is that of a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, indicating its role in specifying a verified and authorized number or tally.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an official count" is a noun phrase frequently used to denote a verified and authorized enumeration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears predominantly in news and media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. To maintain accuracy, it is crucial to verify the source when using "an official count". Alternatives such as "a certified tally" or "a formal census" can be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a certified tally

Replaces "official" with "certified" emphasizing validation but maintains a similar formal tone.

a formal census

Substitutes "count" with "census", highlighting a comprehensive enumeration of a population or group.

a sanctioned enumeration

Uses "sanctioned" to convey authorization, slightly increasing the formality.

a validated reckoning

Replaces both "official" and "count" with synonyms that highlight accuracy and formal approval.

an authorized calculation

Emphasizes the permission aspect of the count and uses a more mathematical term.

a government tabulation

Specifies that the count is performed by the government, narrowing the context.

a definitive quantification

Replaces both terms with more technical vocabulary, increasing the formality and precision.

a recorded number

Focuses on the aspect of having a number registered, slightly simplifying the meaning.

a precise inventory

Implies a detailed list of items, shifting the context to a more specific enumeration.

the final figures

This alternative is less formal and focuses on the result of the counting process.

FAQs

How is "an official count" used in a sentence?

You can use "an official count" to refer to a verified and authorized enumeration, as in "According to "an official count", the population has increased by 10%."

What's the difference between "an official count" and an estimate?

"An official count" is a verified and authorized enumeration, while an estimate is an approximate calculation, often based on incomplete data.

Which is correct, "official count" or "officially counted"?

"Official count" is a noun phrase referring to the result of counting. "Officially counted" would be used as a verb phrase, describing the action of counting in a formal manner.

What can I say instead of "an official count"?

You can use alternatives like "a certified tally", "a formal census", or "a sanctioned enumeration" depending on the specific context.