greater number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greater number of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare one quantity or amount to another when one is greater than the other. For example, "The older people in the crowd showed a greater number of signs of distress compared to the younger ones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yankee fans had a greater number of independents.

The New York Times

We believe that this creates a greater number of stronger relationships between people, and that it helps people get exposed to a greater number of diverse perspectives.

The Guardian - Tech

I don't think the left will succeed in mobilizing a greater number of people.

The New York Times

Many experts say the shortage will lead to a greater number of flu-related deaths.

The New York Times

But the greater the art, the greater number of people "own" it.

The New York Times - Arts

A greater number of second and third generation descendants are British, American and Canadian citizens.

The Guardian

We are looking at having a greater number of independent doctors across our matches.

The Guardian - Sport

Rising temperatures will result in a "greater number of days with severe fire danger".

The Guardian

The gender "war" that Pankhurst described now includes a far greater number of supportive male allies.

The Guardian - Opinion

The US authors suggest a wider study of a greater number of jurors following this pilot.

The Guardian

It receives a greater number of privacy related complaints each year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing groups, use "greater number of" to clearly indicate which group has a larger quantity. For example, "There was a "greater number of" students in the advanced class than in the beginner class."

Common error

Avoid using "greater number of" with uncountable nouns. Use "greater amount of" instead. For example, it's correct to say "a greater number of books" but "a greater amount of water."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greater number of" functions as a quantifier, indicating a larger quantity of something that can be counted. Ludwig's examples show it's used to compare quantities across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greater number of" is a versatile quantifier used to indicate a larger quantity of countable items. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, remember to use it with plural countable nouns, and consider alternatives like "larger quantity of" or "more numerous" for stylistic variation. Steer clear of using "greater number of" with uncountable nouns; instead, use "greater amount of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

larger quantity of

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing the amount rather than count.

more numerous

A simpler, more direct way of saying there are more of something.

higher proportion of

Focuses on the relative amount compared to a whole, rather than absolute quantity.

increased amount of

Highlights the growth or rise in the quantity.

more significant quantity of

Adds emphasis to the size or importance of the quantity.

larger volume of

Implies the quantity is measured by volume or capacity.

more substantial amount of

Stresses the importance and weight of the quantity.

a proliferation of

Suggests a rapid increase or spread of something.

an abundance of

Emphasizes a plentiful or ample quantity.

a majority of

Implies that more than half of the total is represented.

FAQs

How can I use "greater number of" in a sentence?

Use "greater number of" to indicate a larger quantity of countable items. For instance, "The study showed a "greater number of" participants preferred the new formula."

What phrases can I use instead of "greater number of"?

You can use alternatives like "larger quantity of", "higher proportion of", or "more numerous" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "greater number of" with singular nouns?

No, "greater number of" should be used with plural nouns. For singular nouns, use "greater amount of" or "larger quantity of" if the noun is uncountable.

What's the difference between "greater number of" and "larger amount of"?

"Greater number of" is used for countable items, while "larger amount of" is used for uncountable substances. For example, use "greater number of employees" but "larger amount of resources".