innumerable friends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "innumerable friends" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of friends, often implying that the exact count is not known or is too high to quantify. Example: "Throughout my life, I have made innumerable friends who have supported me in various ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

He also leaves ten grandchildren and innumerable friends.

The New York Times

He is survived by his husband, Richard Kost, siblings Camille, Luke and Dominic of Australia and innumerable friends.

The New York Times

The family and innumerable friends mourn the death on July 30, 2008 of Thomas Michael DeRosa, 71, of Stuyvesant Town.

The New York Times

Charles Mathers, 61, whose quiet sparkle attracted innumerable friends, clients and employees, spent a lifetime handling crises.

The New York Times

He is also survived by a dozen exceptionally devoted cousins, aunts and uncles, plus innumerable friends and colleagues.

The New York Times

MICHAEL FINNEGAN An Impromptu Rodeo The innumerable friends of Michael Finnegan found that one simple word best captured him: "mine".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He graced with his presence the lives of innumerable patients, friends, and fellow physicians.

The New York Times

He leaves behind a loving extended family and innumerable devoted friends.

The New York Times

Craig will live on in the hearts of the innumerable family, friends, and associates whose lives he graced.

The New York Times

The protagonist is a brooding, maverick crime fighter who is most often privately nursing a tragic loss (wife, child or in the case of Horatio Caine on "CSI: Miami," wife, brother, mother and innumerable close friends and former girlfriends).

The New York Times - Arts

Your lively, loving soul will always be cherished by your wife, Marge, your children, David (Haydee), Andrew Karen, Janet and ClaudiaIngoIngo); your grandchildren, Emily, Sarah, Sophie, Ben, Alec, Julia, Jan and Jack, as well as the innumerable dear friends and colleagues, especially from Kimco Realty Corporation, who meant so much to you over the years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone. While "innumerable friends" is generally positive, its formality might not suit every situation. In casual conversation, "lots of friends" or "many friends" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "innumerable friends" in casual or informal writing. Phrases like "many friends" or "a bunch of friends" are more suitable for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "innumerable friends" functions as a noun phrase, with "innumerable" acting as a qualifying adjective that emphasizes the vast number of friends. This expression is often used to describe someone with a wide social circle, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "innumerable friends" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who has a vast number of friends. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While generally positive, it is more formal and might not be suitable for all situations, as noted by Ludwig. Alternative phrases such as "countless friends", "myriad friends", or "a multitude of friends" can be used depending on the desired tone and emphasis. Its usage is frequently observed in news and media and encyclopedic contexts, reflecting its appropriateness for formal occasions and written discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

countless friends

Replaces "innumerable" with "countless", emphasizing the vast number of friends.

myriad friends

Substitutes "innumerable" with "myriad", indicating a great number of friends.

a multitude of friends

Uses "a multitude of" to convey a large quantity of friends.

numerous friends

Replaces "innumerable" with "numerous", suggesting a significant number of friends.

a host of friends

Employs "a host of" to indicate a large group of friends.

a great many friends

Uses the phrase "a great many" to express a considerable number of friends.

legion of friends

Substitutes with a "legion of", implying a large and organized group of friends.

uncountable friends

Directly indicates that the number of friends is too high to count.

an abundance of friends

Emphasizes the plentiful and ample nature of the friendships.

plenty of friends

Indicates a sufficient and generous quantity of friends.

FAQs

How can I use "innumerable friends" in a sentence?

You can use "innumerable friends" to describe someone who has a vast amount of friends, like: "He left behind a legacy of kindness and is mourned by "innumerable friends" and colleagues."

What are some alternatives to "innumerable friends"?

Alternatives to "innumerable friends" include "countless friends", "myriad friends", or "a multitude of friends", depending on the desired tone and emphasis.

Is it better to say "innumerable friends" or "many friends"?

The choice between "innumerable friends" and "many friends" depends on the context. "Many friends" is more common and suitable for everyday conversation, while "innumerable friends" is more formal and emphasizes a vast, uncountable number.

What does "innumerable" really mean?

"Innumerable" means too many to be counted or extremely numerous. Using it before "friends" emphasizes that the person had a very large social circle.