exceed the number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceed the number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing quantities or limits, indicating that one amount is greater than another. Example: "The number of participants in the event may exceed the number of available seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Demand from American investors alone exceed the number of shares by 20 times.

The New York Times

"The Color Purple" is playing this summer, and requests far exceed the number of seats at Ms. Page's disposal.

The New York Times

A single MOOC could exceed the number of alumni, dead and living, that Amherst has seen in two centuries.

The New Yorker

"Our expectation is that we will easily exceed the number of listeners on the app this year.

The New York Times

At that point, reports Cisco, the number of mobile-connected devices globally will exceed the number of people.

The New York Times

Research published by Education Data Surveys last May suggests vacancies for maths teachers could soon exceed the number of newcomers to the profession.

The Guardian

This year, the number of women entering law school is expected to exceed the number of men for the first time.

The New York Times - Magazine

The number of Syrian school-aged children in Lebanon is soon likely to exceed the number of Lebanese children who were enrolled in the public system last year.

The Guardian

Not so: the number of possible positions in go outnumber the number of atoms in the universe and far exceed the number of possibilities in chess.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unemployment is forecast to increase by 120,000 to 2.63m in 2013 because growth in the workforce will exceed the number of jobs being created, Philpott added.

The Guardian - Money

Instead, it continues to recommend that to maintain weight the number of calories consumed should not exceed the number of calories expended.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "exceed the number of", ensure that you are comparing two quantifiable items. Be specific about what is being compared to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "exceed the number of" with non-countable nouns. For example, it's incorrect to say "exceed the number of happiness". Instead, use it with countable nouns like "participants", "shares", or "fatalities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceed the number of" functions as a comparative expression. It's used to indicate that one quantity is greater than another. Ludwig's examples illustrate its usage across various domains, showing consistent application in scenarios involving numerical comparison.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exceed the number of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that one quantity surpasses another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across diverse fields, particularly in news, science, and business. To ensure clarity, remember to use it with quantifiable nouns. While alternatives like "surpass the number of" and "outnumber the number of" exist, the core meaning remains consistent: indicating that one amount is greater than another.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpass the number of

Replaces "exceed" with "surpass", emphasizing the act of going beyond a limit.

outnumber the number of

Focuses on having a greater quantity compared to another.

go beyond the number of

Uses a more general verb phrase, indicating a transgression of a numerical boundary.

be greater than the number of

States a direct comparison of magnitude, using a more descriptive and less concise structure.

top the number of

Implies reaching the highest position or quantity, surpassing a previous value.

eclipse the number of

Suggests obscuring or diminishing the previous quantity through a greater value.

dwarf the number of

Highlights a significant difference in size or amount, making the second quantity appear small in comparison.

override the number of

Indicates a displacement or cancellation of the previous quantity.

overshadow the number of

Implies that the exceeding quantity is so significant that it draws attention away from the original number.

transcend the number of

Emphasizes surpassing the limit in a way that suggests a higher level or state.

FAQs

How can I use "exceed the number of" in a sentence?

You can use "exceed the number of" to indicate that one quantity is greater than another. For instance, "The applications for the program "exceed the number of" available slots".

What are some alternatives to "exceed the number of"?

Alternatives include "surpass the number of", "outnumber the number of", or "go beyond the number of", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "exceeds the number of" instead of "exceed the number of"?

Yes, the correct form depends on the subject. Use "exceed" for plural subjects (e.g., "Applications exceed the number of slots") and "exceeds" for singular subjects (e.g., "Demand exceeds the number of shares").

What's the difference between "exceed the number of" and "reach the number of"?

"Exceed the number of" means to be greater than a specific quantity, while "reach the number of" means to attain that quantity. The former implies surpassing a limit, whereas the latter suggests achieving a target.