in a select number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "in a select number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to a specific, small group of things or people. For example, "The job opening was only available to a select number of applicants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

In a compromise, Wills was told he would only play in one to two innings in a select number of games.

Forbes

We identify and validate genomic targets of p53 activity within the differentiating neuron-like cell, and demonstrate selectivity between NGF-activated versus genotoxicant-activated p53 transcriptional activity in a select number of p53 target genes.

BMC Genomics

The kiosks will be available in a select number of Best Buy stores starting on Wednesday, with plans to expand to all sites by midspring.

The New York Times

Internal temperatures in a building are monitored with remote sensors - wired or wireless - that are installed in a select number of apartments.

The New York Times

But their investment philosophy has been evolving in recent years to include participation in a select number of private illiquid investments and private pools of equity capital.

Harvard Business Review

National polling isn't very helpful in determining how these votes will look in the constituencies, and constituency polling provides a limited snapshot in a select number of places.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

In addition, a select number of subjects are offered, but restricted, to students enrolled in the Leaders for Global Operations Program, Master of Finance, and MIT Sloan Fellows in Innovation and Global Leadership.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In addition, a select number of awards for the study of Central Asian languages, including Uigyur, Kazakh, Uzbek, and Tajik, will be given in Summer 2019.

University of California, Berkeley

In-skill purchases and subscriptions are both in preview for a select number of developers starting today.

TechCrunch

In such women, heteroplasmy levels can be increased by phenomena such as selective replication of mtDNA and mitochondrial bottleneck, in which only a select number of mtDNA molecules are transferred to eggs at the time of egg maturation.

Britannica

Classical dance in India has a select number of master teachers.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a select number of" to emphasize exclusivity or a deliberate choice. For example, "The scholarship is awarded to students in a select number of programs."

Common error

Avoid using "in a select number of" in very informal settings where simpler phrases like "a few" or "some" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a select number of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, specifying that something applies to a limited and often deliberately chosen subset of items or individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a select number of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something applies only to a specific, limited group, often implying a deliberate choice or exclusivity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives such as "in a few of" or "among a restricted number of" may be suitable in some situations, "in a select number of" carries a slightly more formal tone and emphasizes the selection process. Avoiding its overuse in very informal contexts will ensure its impact and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a limited quantity of

Replaces 'select' with 'limited,' emphasizing the small amount.

among a restricted number of

Uses 'restricted' to highlight the limitation.

among a small group of

Emphasizes that it pertains to a small collection.

in a few of

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a small quantity.

within a chosen few

Emphasizes the act of choosing or selecting.

in a handful of

Uses a more informal term to indicate a small quantity.

limited to several

Highlights restriction and provides a vague number.

in a specific subset of

Highlights that the items are part of a particular group.

applicable to certain

Focuses on the applicability to specific items or individuals.

in a particular segment of

Focuses on a distinct section or portion.

FAQs

How to use "in a select number of" in a sentence?

Use "in a select number of" to indicate that something applies only to a specific, limited group. For instance, "The early access feature is available "in a select number of" regions."

What can I say instead of "in a select number of"?

You can use alternatives like "in a few of", "among a restricted number of", or "within a chosen few" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "in a selected number of" or "in a select number of"?

"In a select number of" is generally preferred because it sounds more natural and is more commonly used. "Selected" can imply a more formal or deliberate process of choosing.

What's the difference between "in a select number of" and "in a limited number of"?

"In a select number of" implies that there was a deliberate choice or preference involved, whereas "in a limited number of" simply indicates a small quantity without necessarily implying a specific selection process.