far outnumbered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far outnumbered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when there is a significantly larger amount of one thing than another. For example, "The number of people in favor of the new law was far outnumbered by those who opposed it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their troops far outnumbered the Vietcong.

The New Yorker

Still, winners far outnumbered losers.

The New York Times

Under normal circumstances, the "bad" bacteria are far outnumbered.

Harvard University

Marchers against Pegida have recently far outnumbered those for it.

The Economist

But witnesses suggested the police had far outnumbered the protesters.

The New York Times

They are far outnumbered by 14.6 million ex-smokers.

The Guardian

Ballgowns far outnumbered the new, more casual, eve ning attire.

The New York Times

But they were far outnumbered by Bush supporters.

The New York Times

They far outnumbered those who took the opposite views.

The Guardian

The fish (and assorted oceanic mammals), in other words, far outnumbered my linguistic resources.

The New York Times

But, if you added them up, the shameful, painful memories far outnumbered the others.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far outnumbered" to vividly illustrate scenarios where a stark numerical difference significantly impacts the situation, whether it's in battle, voting, or any situation involving quantities.

Common error

Avoid using "far outnumbered" when the difference is only slight. The 'far' indicates a substantial disparity, so ensure the context warrants this emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far outnumbered" functions as a verb phrase, typically used in the passive voice, to express that one group or entity is significantly larger in number than another. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far outnumbered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to clearly convey a considerable numerical disparity. It is most commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and encyclopedic entries. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on a significant difference in quantity. Alternatives such as "markedly outnumbered" or "vastly outnumbered" may be suitable depending on the intended nuance. The phrase is best used in a neutral register, avoiding redundancy and maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

markedly outnumbered

Emphasizes the noticeable extent of the difference in numbers.

substantially outnumbered

Highlights the considerable degree to which one group exceeds the other.

dramatically outnumbered

Conveys a sense of a striking and visually apparent numerical disparity.

considerably outnumbered

Indicates that the difference in numbers is worthy of attention.

vastly outnumbered

Implies that the scale of difference is immense.

greatly outnumbered

A straightforward alternative, indicating a significant numerical imbalance.

significantly outnumbered

Highlights the importance of the numerical difference.

heavily outnumbered

Suggests that the difference is so large that it creates a disadvantage.

greatly exceeded in number

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the act of surpassing in quantity.

outnumbered by a wide margin

Specifies that the difference is substantial, leaving no doubt about the disparity.

FAQs

How do I use "far outnumbered" in a sentence?

Use "far outnumbered" to describe situations where one group or quantity is significantly larger than another. For example, "The protesters were "far outnumbered" by police."

What are some alternatives to "far outnumbered"?

Alternatives include "markedly outnumbered", "substantially outnumbered", or "vastly outnumbered". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "greatly far outnumbered"?

Yes, using "greatly far outnumbered" is typically redundant. The word "far" already implies a significant difference, so adding "greatly" doesn't add any additional meaning and can make the phrase sound awkward.

Can "far outnumbered" be used in non-numerical contexts?

While primarily used in numerical contexts, "far outnumbered" can be used metaphorically. For example, "Positive reviews were "far outnumbered" by negative ones," implying a significant difference in the volume of each type of review.