an undetermined number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an undetermined number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity that is not specified or known. Example: "The survey revealed that there were an undetermined number of participants who chose not to respond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

US officials said they included an undetermined number of Americans.

The Guardian

Conflicting reports said an undetermined number of commanders had died.

The Guardian

China's government responded with a crackdown in which an undetermined number of people were killed.

The New York Times

The two officers then fired an undetermined number of shots, the police said.

The New York Times

They said an undetermined number of government troops and rebels had been wounded.

The New York Times

Israel is itself an undeclared nuclear power with an undetermined number of atom bombs.

The Guardian

They arrested an undetermined number of people inside, some whose whereabouts are still unknown.

University of California, Berkeley

In addition, buyout offers have been made to an undetermined number of employees.

The Washington Post

The talks could even lead to an undetermined number of American soldiers being based here.

The New York Times

The general also said an undetermined number of civilians had been wounded.

The New York Times

Investigators said video showed police taking away an undetermined number of student protesters.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an undetermined number of", ensure the context clearly indicates why the exact number is not known or specified. This adds credibility to your writing.

Common error

Don't use "an undetermined number of" as a filler phrase. If some estimation or range is possible, provide it to give more specific information to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an undetermined number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate an inexact quantity. Ludwig examples show it used before nouns like "people", "soldiers", "civilians", etc.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an undetermined number of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate an unspecified quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. Alternatives like "an unspecified number of" or "several" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. When employing this phrase, ensure the context suggests why the precise number isn't known and avoid using it as mere filler.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unknown quantity of

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing the unmeasured amount.

an unspecified amount of

Substitutes "number" with "amount", suitable when referring to something not countable.

an unquantified number of

Emphasizes the lack of quantification.

a certain number of (unspecified)

Adds "certain" to imply existence, but retains the lack of precise knowledge.

an estimated number of

Suggests an approximate calculation, though still not definite.

an uncounted number of

Highlights that a count has not been performed.

several

A simpler, less formal term to indicate more than two but not many.

various

Indicates a few of different kinds.

a few

Implies a small, indefinite quantity.

an undefined quantity of

Focuses on the lack of definition or clarity in the amount.

FAQs

How to use "an undetermined number of" in a sentence?

Use "an undetermined number of" when you know there are multiple items or people, but the exact quantity is unknown or irrelevant. For example, "An undetermined number of protesters gathered downtown."

What can I say instead of "an undetermined number of"?

You can use alternatives like "an unspecified number of", "several", or "various" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "an undetermined number of"?

It's appropriate when the precise count isn't available, relevant, or necessary for the context. It suggests there's more than one, but the exact figure doesn't impact the core message.

Which is more formal, "an undetermined number of" or "some"?

"An undetermined number of" is generally more formal than "some". Use "an undetermined number of" in professional or academic writing where precision matters, even if the exact number is unknown. For a less formal context, use "some".