appropriate number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appropriate number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity that is suitable or fitting for a particular context or situation. Example: "Please provide the appropriate number of copies for the meeting to ensure everyone has a handout."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The appropriate number is three million.

The New Yorker

Organize your program in an appropriate number of data types.

Princeton University

Don't forget to label the layer with the appropriate number.

University of California, Berkeley

It had better be given whatever the appropriate number is.

Yale University

The appropriate number of patches is determined automatically.

Procedia Computer Science

So we would keep an appropriate number of weapons to meet our defense needs.

The New York Times

"He believes $4 billion is an appropriate number, nothing less," Mr. Oesting said.

The New York Times

That way, they can assemble the appropriate number of workers to reroute the packages.

MIT Technology Review

When Mr. Charat's company, Maricultura del Norte, gets an order, an appropriate number of fattened tuna are harvested.

The New York Times - Food

Zona Visser, "I Shiver, I Shudder, I Shake": A thematically appropriate number from the South African vocalist.

The New Yorker

ASMC shall furnish OSM with an appropriate number of copies of the PAP.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appropriate number", consider the context to ensure the quantity aligns with expectations and requirements. For example, "Provide the appropriate number of participants to ensure adequate data collection."

Common error

Avoid using "appropriate number" without clearly defining what makes the number suitable. Instead of saying "Use the appropriate number", specify the criteria: "Use the appropriate number of samples to achieve statistical significance".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appropriate number" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a quantity that is suitable or fitting for a particular context. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is often used to ensure that there are enough resources, samples or participants for a task, study or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appropriate number" is a versatile phrase used to denote a quantity that is well-suited for a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse domains, including science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the criteria determining the suitability of the number are clearly defined. Alternatives like "suitable quantity" or "correct amount" can be used to add variety to your writing. As usage analysis makes evident, the phrase "appropriate number" is a common and valuable part of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suitable quantity

Replaces "appropriate" with "suitable", emphasizing the fitness of the quantity for a particular purpose.

correct amount

Substitutes "number" with "amount", generally used for non-countable items, and "appropriate" with "correct", focusing on accuracy.

proper quantity

Uses "proper" instead of "appropriate", suggesting adherence to a standard or requirement.

fitting amount

Emphasizes the suitability of the amount to the specific situation or need.

requisite number

Highlights the necessity of the number to achieve a certain outcome.

optimal amount

Suggests the amount is the best possible for a given purpose.

sufficient number

Indicates that the number is enough to meet a specific requirement.

adequate quantity

Implies that the quantity is satisfactory or acceptable for a certain purpose.

the right amount

A more casual way of saying "correct amount", highlighting the suitability of the quantity.

necessary quantity

Indicates the quantity is essential or indispensable.

FAQs

How do I use "appropriate number" in a sentence?

You can use "appropriate number" to refer to a quantity that is suitable for a specific purpose. For example, "Ensure you have the appropriate number of resources to complete the task efficiently."

What can I say instead of "appropriate number"?

You can use alternatives like "suitable quantity", "correct amount", or "proper quantity" depending on the context.

When is it best to use the phrase "appropriate number"?

It's best to use "appropriate number" when you want to emphasize that a certain quantity is well-suited or fitting for a particular situation or task. For example, "Determine the appropriate number of staff based on anticipated workload".

What's the difference between "appropriate number" and "adequate number"?

"Appropriate number" suggests that the quantity is particularly well-suited to the situation, while "adequate number" simply means that there is enough to meet the basic requirements. Appropriateness implies a higher degree of suitability than adequacy.