constitute a number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitute a number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the components or elements that make up a specific quantity or total. Example: "The various factors in the study constitute a number that reflects the overall impact of the intervention."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Second, that the tropes which constitute the concrete particular could exist and (partly) constitute a number of other concrete particulars.

SEP

Parasomnias constitute a number of undesirable physical events or sensory experiences that happen when falling asleep, during sleep, or waking up from sleep (think sleepwalking, talking in your sleep, or sleep paralysis).

Vice

Multiple Objective GA (MOGA), Non-dominated Sorting GA (NSGA), Niched Pareto GA (NPGA) constitute a number of techniques under the Pareto-based approaches.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The China Securities Regulatory Commission ruled that the abnormal trades conducted by the brokerage firm, Everbright Securities, had constituted "a number of legal and regulatory violations," Xinhua, the state-run news agency, reported Friday.

The New York Times

A niche constitutes a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as transcription factors, growth factors, extracellular matrix, neighboring cells, substrate stiffness, and environmental signals.

Biology and Engineering of Stem Cell Niches

The effluent constitutes a number of physico chemical elements of suspended and dissolved solids with the high amount of biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), chlorides, sulfate, nitrates, calcium, magnesium, and metals (Rathore et al. 2000; Roy et al. 2007).

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

Of these, the majority are missense variants, constituting a number of 781 unique variants.

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

The admixture that occurred in the SAC is therefore complex, constituting a number of different source ancestries, with dissimilar genetic distances between them.

BMC Genomics

Blacks constitute a disproportionate number of unemployed.

The New Yorker

Most of the models constitute a large number of parameters involved and hence are computationally more complex.

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

Women constitute a small number of the people executed or awaiting their fate on death row.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitute a number", ensure the elements you're describing directly contribute to a quantifiable result. For instance, "The different data points constitute a number that represents the average score."

Common error

Avoid using "constitute a number" when elements are indirectly related to the final figure. Instead of saying, "These events constitute a number of challenges", consider "These events present several challenges" if the events don't directly add up to a numerical value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute a number" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that certain elements or components form or make up a particular numerical value. This usage is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, which demonstrate its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "constitute a number" is grammatically correct but relatively rare in usage, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts and serves to describe how specific elements combine to form a quantifiable result. While acceptable, consider alternative phrases like "make up a number" or "form a total" to achieve greater clarity or a more common expression. Ensure that the elements you're describing directly contribute to the numerical value to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprise a quantity

Focuses on the components that make up a certain quantity.

form a total

Emphasizes the resulting sum or aggregation of elements.

make up an amount

Highlights the individual parts contributing to a specific amount.

represent a figure

Indicates that elements combine to signify a particular numerical value.

add up to a sum

Stresses the additive process that results in a final sum.

account for a proportion

Indicates elements that constitute a certain fraction or percentage of the whole.

contribute to a value

Highlights the contribution of elements toward a final value.

compose a magnitude

Refers to the creation of a certain extent or size.

build up to a quantity

Emphasizes an incremental process that culminates in a final quantity.

equate to a figure

Indicates the elements are equivalent to a certain numeric figure.

FAQs

How can I use "constitute a number" in a sentence?

Use "constitute a number" when discussing the specific components or elements that make up a total or quantity. For example, "The different age groups in the study constitute a number reflecting the population's demographics."

What are some alternatives to "constitute a number"?

You can use alternatives like "comprise a quantity", "form a total", or "make up an amount" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "constitute a number" or "make up a number"?

Both "constitute a number" and "make up a number" are grammatically correct and usable. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. "Constitute" is often perceived as slightly more formal.

In what contexts is "constitute a number" most appropriate?

The phrase "constitute a number" is suitable in contexts where specific elements or factors combine to form a quantifiable result, such as in statistical analyses, research reports, or financial summaries.