hundred or so

USAGE SUMMARY

'hundred or so' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate an approximate but indeterminate number when it is more convenient to round off the number rather than to give an exact amount. For example: "The library contained a hundred or so books."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Tells about one of the hundred or so photographs there.

The New Yorker

A hundred or so grizzled men squat or stand.

The Economist

The hundred or so people gathered in the chapel applauded.

The New Yorker

A hundred or so people watched the race.

The New York Times

It's a group of a hundred or so tribes.

The New York Times

And the hundred or so scars were gone".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The tank now held a hundred-or-so gallons of ice.

Huffington Post

Eight hundred or so.

The New York Times

Inside, three hundred or so employees are hard at work.

The New Yorker

And another two hundred or so are shot and injured.

The New Yorker

Just two hundred and some dollars and fifteen hundred or so miles — that's all there was.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is required, consider providing a specific number or a more defined range instead of "hundred or so".

Common error

Avoid using vague quantifiers like "hundred or so" excessively in formal writing. While acceptable in informal contexts, overuse can make your writing seem imprecise or lacking in detail. Try to provide more specific numbers when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hundred or so" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating an approximate number. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is used to express an estimate close to one hundred without requiring precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

12%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hundred or so" is a common and correct phrase used to express an approximate quantity near one hundred. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, academia, and informal writing. While generally acceptable, formal contexts may benefit from more precise alternatives. Its function is to provide a rough estimate when exactness is unnecessary or unknown, making it a versatile tool for conveying general quantities. It's important to consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use "hundred or so" or a more precise alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about a hundred

A more concise and informal way to express an approximate quantity of one hundred.

around one hundred

Similar to 'about a hundred', but might suggest a slightly wider range of possibilities.

approximately one hundred

Replaces "or so" with a more formal approximation, emphasizing the nearness to one hundred.

close to a hundred

Highlights the proximity to the number one hundred without specifying direction.

roughly one hundred

Indicates an estimated amount, less precise than 'approximately'.

a hundred give or take

An informal way of suggesting that the number is close to one hundred, with a margin of error.

in the neighborhood of one hundred

A more descriptive and less precise way of indicating a quantity near one hundred.

one hundred plus or minus a few

More explicitly states a range around one hundred.

a hundredish

Very informal and suggests the quantity is close to, but not exactly, one hundred.

a hundred plus

Implies a number slightly more than one hundred.

FAQs

How can I use "hundred or so" in a sentence?

You can use "hundred or so" to indicate an approximate quantity, such as, "There were "hundred or so" people at the meeting." It suggests an estimation without needing to be exact.

What can I say instead of "hundred or so"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately one hundred", "about a hundred", or "around one hundred" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "hundred or so" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "hundred or so" is generally more suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language such as "approximately one hundred" or specifying a range.

How does "hundred or so" compare to "several hundred"?

"Hundred or so" indicates a quantity very close to one hundred, whereas "several hundred" implies a larger, less specific quantity greater than two hundred. The choice depends on the level of approximation you want to convey.