in the thousands

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the thousands" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large number, usually when referring to money or a countable figure such as population. For example: "The population of the city is in the thousands".

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the 1930s Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Twice in the last decade".

The New York Times

club in the early 1960s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just in the last six months.

The New York Times

Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Blossoms in the late.

The New Yorker

In the New Year".

The New Yorker

Tomatillos in the summer!

The Economist

It occurs in the last year, in 2015.

Independent

Maybe in the fall.

The New Yorker

In the 1890s, Capt.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the thousands" when you want to indicate a general magnitude without being overly precise. It's suitable when the exact number isn't known or isn't important.

Common error

Avoid using "in the thousands" when the actual number is significantly higher or lower. Using "in the thousands" when the number is in the millions would be a gross misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the thousands" functions as a quantifier, indicating that a number or amount falls within the range of 1,000 to 9,999. Although Ludwig provides limited examples, the phrase's structure adheres to standard English grammar for expressing approximate quantities.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the thousands" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood expression used to indicate a quantity between one thousand and ten thousand. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, while highlighting the importance of using it appropriately for the context, avoiding its application where more precise figures are necessary or when the actual numbers are far outside this range. Alternatives like ""numbering in the thousands"" or specifying an approximate value such as "approximately three thousand" can provide more specificity when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numbering in the thousands

This alternative emphasizes the counting aspect and is slightly more formal.

thousands of

This alternative emphasizes the plurality but lacks the "in the" structure.

a few thousand

This suggests a relatively small number within the thousands range.

several thousand

This indicates a larger, unspecified number within the thousands range.

in the high hundreds

This specifies a smaller range, implying a quantity closer to one thousand.

in excess of a thousand

This implies a quantity definitively greater than one thousand.

reaching into the thousands

This suggests a quantity that is growing or increasing to reach the thousands.

approximately three thousand

This provides a specific estimated quantity, offering more precision.

between one and ten thousand

This specifies the numerical boundaries of the quantity.

on the order of thousands

This is a more formal and scientific way of expressing a magnitude in the thousands.

FAQs

How can I use "in the thousands" in a sentence?

You can use "in the thousands" to describe quantities, populations, or amounts. For example, "The attendance at the concert was "numbering in the thousands"."

What's a more precise way to say "in the thousands"?

For a more precise expression, you could say "approximately three thousand" or specify a range, like "between two thousand and five thousand."

When is it appropriate to use "in the thousands"?

It is appropriate when you want to convey a general idea of the quantity being more than a hundred but less than ten thousand and precise numbers are not necessary.

Are there any formal alternatives to "in the thousands"?

Yes, a more formal alternative would be "on the order of thousands", which is often used in scientific or technical contexts.