for a specific number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a specific number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a defined quantity or amount of something, often in contexts involving measurements, limits, or counts. Example: "The project requires funding for a specific number of resources to ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Frédéric Lafage, a vice-president at Cinov, said that the 2014 agreement was designed specifically to protect employees who are contracted for a specific number of days, but who are free to organize their work schedule as they see fit.

Vice

The meeting occurred as General McChrystal's formal request for a specific number of troops was expected to arrive at the Pentagon.

The New York Times

"Well, she put it all on her credit card, so she'll have to pay the difference if people don't show," I said, pointing out that the hostess was renting the loft and hiring caterers for a specific number of guests.

The New York Times

Those homeowners behind in their payments could be given a window of time to bring their payments up to date and receive the subsidy retroactively for a specific number of months.

The New York Times

With an interest-only adjustable rate mortgage, on the other hand, the monthly payment initially includes only the interest due on the amount borrowed for a specific number of years after the loan is taken out.

The New York Times

It also shows that for a specific number of programming cycles, lower threshold resistance results in lower hard error rate.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Each purchase pays for the destruction of a specific number of weapons.

The New York Times

For the duration of a specific number of PUs, the states of SUs achieve equilibrium.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

For each instance of a specific number of untyped individuals, two values were computed on the estimated number of recombinations between the central pair of loci: the haplotype and genotype accuracies.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

They have strong curriculums and offer a personalized approach, with teachers responsible for monitoring a specific number of students.

The New York Times

Ferguson is among the players who would receive a substantial bonus — in his case, $750,000 — for attending a specific number of off-season workouts.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for a specific number of", ensure the context clearly indicates what the number refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the units or items being counted.

Common error

Avoid using "for a specific number of" without providing context or clarification. For example, instead of saying "We need resources for a specific number of days", specify the number: "We need resources for 30 days".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a specific number of" functions as a prepositional phrase. It introduces a quantity that is defined and not general. Ludwig provides various examples in science, news and media, showcasing its use in specifying amounts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a specific number of" is a prepositional phrase used to specify a precise quantity. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various fields, including science and news. While versatile, ensure clarity by specifying the units. Use alternatives like "for a defined quantity of" or "for a particular amount of" to add variety. The key is to provide adequate context so the number is well-understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a defined quantity of

Emphasizes the precise measurement or amount rather than the general concept of 'specific'.

for a particular amount of

Replaces 'specific' with 'particular', highlighting a distinct quantity.

for a certain quantity of

Uses 'certain' to convey a known but not necessarily explicitly stated amount.

with a precise quantity of

Shifts the focus to 'precise', underscoring accuracy in the amount.

given a fixed quantity of

Highlights that the quantity is predetermined or unchangeable.

for a predetermined quantity of

Emphasizes that the amount was decided in advance.

for a limited quantity of

Focuses on the restriction of the quantity.

in a discrete quantity of

Highlights that the quantity can assume only certain values.

allocating a set quantity of

Changes the structure to emphasize the action of allocating a fixed amount.

regarding a measured quantity of

Emphasizes that the quantity has been measured and is known.

FAQs

How can I use "for a specific number of" in a sentence?

You can use "for a specific number of" to indicate a defined quantity. For example, "The contract covers services "for a specific number of" hours per week".

What are some alternatives to "for a specific number of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "for a defined quantity of", "for a particular amount of", or "for a certain quantity of".

Is it more formal to say "for a specific number of" or "for a certain amount of"?

"For a specific number of" and "for a certain amount of" are generally interchangeable. The choice depends on the context and desired level of precision. Both can be used in formal and informal settings.

How can I ensure my usage of "for a specific number of" is clear?

To ensure clarity, always specify the units or items to which the number refers. For example, "The study included data "for a specific number of" patients" is more informative than "The study included data "for a specific number of"".