great number

USAGE SUMMARY

'great number' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large quantity of something, for example, "The great number of people in attendance made the event a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a great number.

The New York Times - Sports

"601 is a great number.

The New York Times - Sports

That's a great number.

Harvard Business Review

A great number of them are submerged.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But 50 would be a great number.

The New York Times - Sports

But what makes a great "number song"?

The Guardian

Asia is made up of a great number of ethnicities.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

Alcoholic liver disease affects a great number of people worldwide.

Digestive and Liver Disease

Mining carries a great number of noxiousnesses for the environment.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

A great number of Austen fanfic stories are pornographic.

The Guardian - Books

A great number of lives might thus be saved.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great number" when you want to emphasize that the quantity is not only large but also significant or noteworthy.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "great number" in very casual settings can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler phrases like "a lot of" or "many" in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great number" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically as a quantifier. It modifies a noun to indicate a large quantity or amount. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse contexts to denote substantial counts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great number" is a grammatically correct and frequently used quantifier that denotes a large quantity or amount. According to Ludwig, this phrase is acceptable in written English and suitable for describing significant counts across various contexts. While "great number" is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing, it's essential to consider the context and audience, as it can sound slightly formal in very casual settings. Alternatives such as "large quantity" or "a lot of" may be more appropriate in informal conversations. Ensure clear and effective communication by using "great number" when you want to emphasize the significance of a large quantity, and avoid overuse in relaxed contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large number

A direct and common alternative, focusing on the numerical aspect.

considerable number

Similar to "great number" but might suggest a more thoughtful assessment of the quantity.

large quantity

Focuses on the amount rather than the count of individual items.

significant amount

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the quantity.

substantial quantity

Highlights that the quantity is of considerable size.

numerous instances

Suitable when referring to occurrences or examples.

vast amount

Suggests an extremely large quantity, often of something uncountable.

abundance of

Indicates a plentiful supply or amount.

plethora of

Implies an abundance or excess, often with a positive connotation.

multitude of

Suggests a very large and diverse collection.

FAQs

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

You can use "great number" to describe a large quantity or amount of something. For example, "A "great number" of students attended the lecture."

What's a more formal way to say "a lot of"?

Instead of "a lot of", consider using phrases such as ""great number"", "significant amount", or "considerable quantity".

Is it always appropriate to use "great number" in writing?

While "great number" is grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat formal. In informal contexts, phrases like "many" or "a lot of" might be more suitable.

What are some synonyms for "great number" that emphasize quantity?

Synonyms that emphasize quantity include "large quantity", "substantial amount", and "considerable number".