by how many

USAGE SUMMARY

"by how many" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking about an amount of something or when inquiring about a change in magnitude. For example, "By how many years has the average age of our customers increased?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Multiply that by how many thousand adoptions.

The New York Times

By how many calories?

The New York Times - Science

By how many points?

The Washington Post

The uncertainty is by how many.

Princeton University

"They're not really concerned by how many clients they have.

The New York Times

"I'm shocked by how many people are inside".

The New York Times

I'm flabbergasted by how many people have actually seen it.

The New York Times

By how many votes did they make each decision?

The New York Times

Are students surprised by how many ideas they have listed?

The New York Times

He is always struck by how many did not.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was surprised by how many ruffled shorts we sold".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking about a specific number, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being counted. For example, "By how many votes did the bill pass?" provides more clarity than simply "By how many?"

Common error

Avoid using "by how many" without a clear referent. Ensure your sentence specifies what you're quantifying to prevent ambiguity. Example: Instead of "Results improved, but by how many?" specify "Results improved, but by how many percentage points?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by how many" functions as an interrogative phrase used to quantify a difference or amount. It sets up a question that seeks a numerical answer. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various domains, confirming its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

18%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by how many" is a versatile phrase used to inquire about numerical differences or quantities. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically sound and widely used across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to provide a clear context to avoid ambiguity. For variations, consider alternatives like "by what number" or "to what extent", depending on the desired level of formality and nuance. Remember, specifying units improves clarity. The phrase's high frequency and widespread application make it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by how much

Focuses on the quantity or amount of something but does not limit the answer to integers.

by what number

Replaces "how" with "what number", focusing specifically on numerical quantification. It is more formal.

by what margin

Highlights the difference or gap between two quantities or values, specifically looking for the numerical advantage.

what quantity of

Refers to a specific amount or number, emphasizing the magnitude. It is often used in more formal or technical contexts.

by how great an amount

It focuses on assessing the size or extent of the increase, change, or difference.

to what extent

Indicates the degree or scope of something, broadening the inquiry beyond simple counts. It implies a range of impact.

how large a number of

Emphasizes the magnitude or size of the number, implying significance or surprise at the amount.

to what degree

Shifts the focus to the intensity or level of something rather than a specific count.

in what quantity

Focuses on the amount or number of items, but the context is different because it's asking for the measurement instead of an amount.

what number indicates

It specifically looks for a value that is being represented or described, such as in a graph.

FAQs

How can I use "by how many" in a sentence?

Use "by how many" to inquire about the numerical difference or quantity. For example, "By how many points did the team win the game?" or "By how many calories should I reduce my daily intake?"

What's a formal alternative to "by how many"?

In formal contexts, consider using "by what number" or "to what extent". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while inquiring about quantity or degree.

Is it always necessary to specify the unit of measurement after "by how many"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the unit of measurement (e.g., "by how many miles", "by how many dollars") enhances clarity and avoids potential ambiguity.

What's the difference between "by how much" and "by how many"?

"By how much" is used for continuous or non-discrete quantities, while "by how many" is used for countable, discrete items. For instance, you'd ask "By how much did the price increase?" but "By how many cars were sold?"