hundreds

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "hundreds" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to a large number, typically a number that is greater than one hundred. For example, "The crowd was in the hundreds as the parade began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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The Guardian

Revelations that Michael Jordan had lost hundreds of thousands of dollars gambling barely dented his appeal, since the story reinforced the image of him as a fierce competitor.

The Economist

Hundreds of furry little bodies ambled among us, looking curiously at the human interlopers.

The Guardian - Travel

About 500 relatives of victims are attending the ecumenical service, with hundreds more watching on large screens outside the cathedral and in a neighbouring church.

The Guardian

Blatter is popular in Africa, Fifa's biggest voting bloc, for bringing its first World Cup in 2010 and using Fifa cash to fund hundreds of facilities for national associations across the continent.

The Guardian - Sport

Smith quoted from a 1953 report by Kathleen Forest, an inspector for the government's home affairs department, who wrote: "I find these homes utterly depressing and it appals me to think that these hundreds of children are being reared in bleak lovelessness".

The Guardian

In many African countries, those at risk often have to spend huge amounts of money and travel hundreds of miles to reach heart specialists concentrated in main urban centres.

The Guardian

Related: Tessa Jowell launches London mayoral bid with housebuilding pledge Jowell said: "Most mothers can form strong bonds with their children, but there are hundreds of children born every year in this city who are not born with that opportunity, and its consequences are lifelong.

The Guardian

Just a 10-minute stroll from the Short Strand, hundreds of people looked on as two rival factions jeered and snarled at one another before the final confrontation, when hand-to-hand fighting finally broke out.

The Guardian

Yemen says it has foiled an al-Qaida plot to blow up oil pipelines and seize some of the country's main ports, but security remains tight and hundreds of armoured vehicles have been deployed to protect key targets.

The Guardian

In September, hundreds of Dalit families were forced from their homes in two other districts of Bihar after a man from the community tried to contest a local election against higher caste candidates.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hundreds", ensure the context provides sufficient clarity. If precision is needed, use a more specific number. For example, instead of "hundreds of people", you might say "250 people" if that's a closer estimate.

Common error

While "hundreds" indicates a significant number, avoid using it to exaggerate small quantities. Overuse can diminish its impact and credibility. If the actual number is closer to 100, consider using "around one hundred" or "approximately 100" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "hundreds" functions as a noun, specifically a plural noun, referring to multiple sets of one hundred. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "hundreds" is a common and grammatically sound plural noun used to express a quantity ranging from 100 to 999. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread and correct. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "hundreds" serves to provide an approximate count when precision is not critical. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse or exaggeration to maintain clarity and credibility. Alternative phrases, such as "a few hundred" or "several hundred", can be used to add nuance or avoid repetition. When accuracy is paramount, using specific numbers is always preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the hundreds

Expresses that a value or quantity is within the range of 100 to 999.

a few hundred

Specifies a range within the hundreds, indicating a quantity slightly less precise than "hundreds".

several hundred

Indicates an approximate quantity in the hundreds, similar to "a few hundred" but slightly more vague.

a couple of hundred

Similar to "a few hundred", but suggests a smaller number, closer to two hundred.

more than one hundred

A direct and explicit way of saying a quantity exceeds one hundred.

one hundred plus

A less formal way to indicate a quantity greater than one hundred.

dozens upon dozens

Suggests a quantity significantly more than dozens, approaching the lower end of the hundreds.

numerous instances

Emphasizes the frequency or repetition of something, implying a large number of occurrences.

countless examples

Highlights the vastness of examples, suggesting they are too many to count individually.

a multitude

Emphasizes a great number or quantity, often used in a more abstract or figurative sense.

FAQs

How can I use "hundreds" in a sentence?

You can use "hundreds" to indicate a quantity between 100 and 999. For example, "There were hundreds of people at the concert" or "The project cost hundreds of dollars".

What can I say instead of "hundreds"?

You can use alternatives like "a few hundred", "several hundred", or "in the hundreds" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hundreds of people" or "hundreds people"?

"Hundreds of people" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. Omitting "of" makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "hundreds" and "thousands"?

"Hundreds" refers to a quantity between 100 and 999, while "thousands" refers to a quantity between 1,000 and 9,999. The scale differs significantly, with "thousands" representing a much larger number.