indicative number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'indicative number' is not correct and usable in written English.
It is not a commonly used phrase in English. An example of a commonly used phrase in this context would be "estimated number". For example, "The estimated number of people affected by the hurricane was 10,000".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

European Transport Research Review

Vice

The Guardian

BBC

Health Economics Review

Journal of Applied Volcanology

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Plosone

BioMed Research International

AMB Express

The Economist

The New York Times - Sports

Catalysis Today

Nanoscale Research Letters

Chemical Engineering Science

Critical Care

Blood Cancer Journal

Environmental Health Perspectives

Aging

Chemical Research in Toxicology

BMC Genomics

Cancer Management and Research

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

eLife

BMC Evolutionary Biology

BMC Cancer

Annals of Intensive Care

Europace

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Emerging Infectious Diseases

AIDS

Huffington Post

TechCrunch

The New York Times

The Guardian - Business

EJNMMI Physics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Fatalities exist in railway transport too, and an indicative number in Europe for 2006 is that 2,762 fatalities and injuries occurred on 9,309 total accidents.

European Transport Research Review

The indicative number of victims stood at 429 when this report was published, with the age range for potential victims at the time of the abuse spanning four to 20 years of age.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yes, the Russell Group is the least badly affected, with 30% of its members gaining indicative numbers.

The Guardian

The company claims 150 million users globally every month, even if indicative numbers from ComScore suggest fewer.

The Guardian

Although the PBR included only "indicative" numbers for the period 2011-12 to 2013-14, is is clear from the UK's baleful economic position that tight control of state spending will be needed for at least three years beyond the latter date.

The Guardian

Bermuda 2013 organisers have already written to Island Games associations asking for indicative numbers.

BBC

A model scheme could be developed with indicative numbers of personnel in different departments, job descriptions and options for further development of such a scheme.

Health Economics Review

We use the case of the 2011 2012 unrest at Santorini as a basis for demonstration with the Netica package (NorsysSoftware Corp. [2014]); however, all values and probabilities reproduced in what follows were chosen as provisional indicative numbers – had the crisis escalated further these would have been subjected to detailed expert appraisal and modulation.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

The computed CRLB is indicative of the number of data points (i.e., the number of experiments) required to achieve a desired accuracy of inferring reaction rates.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

In contrast, all polyploid cells (n = 13) contained 79 to 89 chromosomal numbers, indicative of near-tetraploidy (Figure 6A).

Plosone

DNA quantification patterns are indicative of the number or chromosomes, and by FCM analysis information can be obtained about the number of individual cells that possess an n number of chromosomes in an asynchronous growing population.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "indicative number" with more common alternatives like "estimated amount" or "approximate figure". This ensures better comprehension and avoids potential grammatical ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid relying on "indicative number" in professional or academic contexts. While not strictly incorrect, its less frequent usage compared to phrases like "estimated number" or "projected value" can make your writing sound awkward or less polished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicative number" functions as a modifier + noun combination. "Indicative" acts as an adjective describing the nature of the "number". Although it has occurrences, as Ludwig AI notes, it is not a standard or commonly accepted phrase in English writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "indicative number" aims to convey an estimated or suggestive quantity, Ludwig AI points out its less common and not accepted usage in standard English. It appears across various source types, including science, news, and business, but more common alternatives like "estimated number" or "approximate figure" are recommended for improved clarity and comprehension. Opting for more frequent and grammatically sound alternatives will enhance your writing and avoid potential confusion. Therefore, it is important to note the existence of the expression "indicative number" but avoid its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

estimated quantity

Replaces "indicative" with "estimated", emphasizing a calculated approximation.

approximate figure

Substitutes both words to focus on the rough or inexact nature of the number.

suggested amount

Uses "suggested" to indicate that the number is a recommendation or guideline.

preliminary count

Highlights the initial or provisional aspect of the number.

rough estimate

Emphasizes the imprecision and broadness of the calculation.

ballpark figure

A more informal way to describe an approximate or general number.

tentative value

Indicates that the number is subject to change or confirmation.

implied quantity

Focuses on the number being indirectly suggested rather than explicitly stated.

projected sum

Highlights that the number is a prediction or forecast.

notional value

Highlights that the value is merely an idea rather than a fact.

FAQs

What does "indicative number" mean?

While not a standard phrase, "indicative number" generally refers to a number that suggests or gives an idea of an amount or quantity. Consider using clearer alternatives like "estimated number" or "approximate figure".

How can I use "indicative number" in a sentence?

It's better to avoid "indicative number" because it is not a very common and natural English phrase. However, if you're intent on using it, an example would be: "The report provides an indicative number of potential victims" However, it's better to rephrase it as: "The report provides an estimated number of potential victims".

Is "indicative number" grammatically correct?

Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase "indicative number" is not a commonly used phrase in English. While not strictly ungrammatical, it's less common and can sound awkward. Opt for "estimated number" or similar alternatives for improved clarity and style.

What are some alternatives to "indicative number"?

You can use alternatives like "estimated number", "approximate value", or "projected amount" depending on the specific context you're using it in.