fluctuating numbers of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fluctuating numbers of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where the quantity of something varies or changes over time. Example: "The fluctuating numbers of visitors to the museum have made it difficult to predict staffing needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Because peccaries find themselves on the menu of many predators, they could have evolved to adjust their reproduction rate in response to fluctuating numbers of predators, Bodmer says.

Science Magazine

The beetle is threatened by fluctuating numbers of Lundy cabbages.

Wikipedia

The species is threatened by fluctuating numbers of Lundy cabbages, particularly due to invasive common rhododendrons (Rhododendron ponticum).

Wikipedia

While early releases were marked by predictions of fluctuating numbers of genes, whose active transcription could only be confirmed for a fraction, the association of cDNAs with predicted genes was an important factor in the genome characterization effort.

Plosone

Berg and Purcell [ 5] identified diffusive noise (i.e. the fluctuating numbers of ligand molecules diffusing into the vicinity of the cell) as a critical challenge for this system.

BMC Systems Biology

They do not blame deer or the recent mild winter for the increased threat, but rather fluctuating numbers of acorns and mice, said Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld, a disease ecologist who has studied the acorn-mouse-tick dynamic for 20 years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

A fluctuating number of daily newspapers are published in Uganda.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To facilitate the aggregation of air conditioners, stochastic heat gain or heat loss (such as fluctuating number of people in the residence, doors and windows being opened and closed, and appliances being used) should be considered on the basis of the space thermal model [24].

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

This fluctuating pattern is due to two combined effects: (i) the fluctuating number of For3p dimers at cable tips (Fig. 3A) leads to polymerization of actin cables of non-uniform intensity, and (ii) our assumption of an age-dependent cable depolymerization mechanism.

Plosone

Additionally, the fluctuating number of referrals and occasional closures of procedure rooms required the mathematical method to be stochastic.

Health Care Management Science

As shown in Figure  5, the surface tension in both the CCR and control supernatants without TS clearly fluctuated, the numbers of which are around 65.22 to 71.54 mN/m during the hydrolysis process.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing populations or data sets, use "fluctuating numbers of" to accurately convey the dynamic nature of the quantities involved. This indicates that the numbers are not static and change over time.

Common error

Avoid using "fluctuating numbers of" when describing situations where the quantities are fixed or not expected to change. It's more appropriate for scenarios where change is a key characteristic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fluctuating numbers of" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase describing a noun. It specifies that the noun it modifies (e.g., reports, genes, acorns) exhibits variability in quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is considered valid and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fluctuating numbers of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe quantities that vary over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for a range of contexts, notably science, news, and encyclopedia articles. While versatile, it is most accurately used in situations where dynamic change is a key aspect of the described quantities. Be sure that when you use "fluctuating numbers of" you are accurately portraying the dynamic state of the noun you are modifying. Remember that alternatives include "variable amounts of", "changing figures of", and "varying quantities of", offering subtly different nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

variable amounts of

Emphasizes the changing quantity without specifying whether it increases or decreases.

changing figures of

Focuses on the numerical representation that is in flux.

varying quantities of

Highlights that the amounts are not consistent and are subject to alteration.

unstable counts of

Implies the numbers are erratic and unreliable.

wavering levels of

Suggests a back-and-forth movement around a central point.

shifting proportions of

Highlights that the relative amounts are undergoing change.

erratic volumes of

Emphasizes irregularity and unpredictability in the measured amount.

unpredictable quantities of

Focuses on the inability to know how much will be present at any given time.

inconsistent sums of

Underlines the lack of uniformity in the total amounts.

irregular figures for

Highlights deviations from a standard or expected pattern.

FAQs

How can I use "fluctuating numbers of" in a sentence?

Use "fluctuating numbers of" to describe something whose quantity changes over time, like "The "fluctuating numbers of" bees in the area is a cause for concern".

What are some alternatives to "fluctuating numbers of"?

You can use alternatives like "variable amounts of", "changing figures of", or "varying quantities of" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "fluctuating number of" instead of "fluctuating numbers of"?

While "fluctuating number of" might be grammatically correct in some contexts, ""fluctuating numbers of"" is generally preferred when referring to quantities that vary over time. Use "fluctuating number of" if you're referring to a single, specific number that changes.

What does "fluctuating numbers of" imply in a scientific context?

In scientific contexts, ""fluctuating numbers of"" often implies that the observed variations are due to underlying dynamic processes or external factors affecting the system being studied.