discouraging number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discouraging number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a figure or statistic that is disappointing or demotivating in a particular context. Example: "The report revealed a discouraging number of participants in the program, leading to concerns about its future viability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Although the index dropped again on Monday, the discouraging number registered as more of the same.

The New York Times

HE economy lost 467,000 jobs in June, a deeply discouraging number at a time when other indicators have suggested the recession may be ending.

The New York Times

January 26 , 2014Here's another potentially discouraging number for the White House: public approval of the president's signature health care legislation appears to be languishing at around negative 14. That's per Huff Pollster's aggregation of 363 polls from 47 pollsters.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Snyder turned aside suggestions that the senator's busy activity was a response to discouraging poll numbers.

The New York Times

But there were also discouraging poll numbers in Santorum's home state of Pennsylvania, which was holding its Republican primary on 24 April.

The Guardian - Opinion

As for where the money would come from for any of this, Mr. Booker said that he would find it — despite what he said were discouraging budget numbers — even if it meant "starving" other, non-essential programs.

The New York Times

Another consignment of discouraging employment numbers in the United States was seized on yesterday by Mitt Romney, the Republican challenger in the presidential race, as evidence that the economic policies of President Barack Obama are misconceived and that voters should fire him in November.

Independent

These difficulties discouraged a number of Muslim women from seeking skilled birthing services [ 13].

BMC International Health and Human Rights

While there has been much political news in recent weeks — the recall election in Wisconsin, the president's statement on immigration, fiscal problems in Europe and discouraging domestic economic numbers — the numbers remained fairly static since the last NBC/Journal poll.

The New York Times

A number of the comments were encouraging, whereas others were discouraging, and a number of the comments were scientific, whereas others were emotional and/or political.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Rain has also discouraged large numbers from lingering near the police line.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "discouraging number", provide context to explain why the number is considered discouraging. This enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "discouraging number" in situations where a milder term like "modest decrease" or "slightly lower figure" would be more appropriate. Overusing strong adjectives can diminish their impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discouraging number" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. The adjective "discouraging" describes the quality of the "number", indicating that it is disappointing or unfavorable. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discouraging number" is a valid and usable expression in English, primarily employed to describe a disappointing or unfavorable statistic or figure. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not overly common, its usage is grammatically correct and appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase conveys a sense of disappointment or concern and is often found in news and media contexts when discussing negative trends or outcomes. Alternatives like "disappointing figure" or "unfavorable statistic" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using "discouraging number", it's crucial to provide context to explain the reason for the discouragement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappointing figure

Substitutes "discouraging" with "disappointing", emphasizing the feeling of letdown.

depressing statistic

Replaces "discouraging" with "depressing", highlighting the disheartening nature of the data.

worrisome figure

Substitutes "discouraging" with "worrisome", emphasizing the cause for concern.

unfavorable statistic

Replaces "discouraging" with a more neutral term, focusing on the lack of favorability.

unfavorable number

Replaces "discouraging" with "unfavorable", focusing on the lack of positive attributes.

unpromising number

Substitutes "discouraging" with "unpromising", focusing on the lack of positive future prospects.

sobering statistic

Replaces "discouraging" with "sobering", highlighting the serious and reflective nature of the data.

bleak number

Uses "bleak" instead of "discouraging", underscoring the pessimistic outlook associated with the figure.

grim figure

Replaces "discouraging" with "grim", emphasizing the severity and unpleasantness of the statistic.

negative indicator

Replaces "discouraging number" with a more technical term.

FAQs

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

You can use "discouraging number" to describe statistics or figures that indicate a negative trend or outcome. For example, "The report revealed a "discouraging number" of students passing the exam this year".

What are some alternatives to "discouraging number"?

Alternatives include "disappointing figure", "unfavorable statistic", or "negative indicator". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always negative to use the phrase "discouraging number"?

Yes, the phrase "discouraging number" inherently carries a negative connotation, indicating a statistic or figure that is undesirable or causes concern. Therefore, it should be used when describing a situation that truly warrants a negative assessment.

How does "discouraging number" differ from "concerning number"?

"Discouraging number" emphasizes the feeling of disappointment or loss of hope associated with a figure, while "concerning number" highlights the worry or unease the figure provokes. The nuances depend on the emotional response you wish to convey.