insignificant number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insignificant number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is so small that it is not worth considering or does not have a meaningful impact. Example: "The survey revealed an insignificant number of respondents who disagreed with the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

When does nine hundred thousand seem like an insignificant number of women?

The New Yorker

That, the group said, is "an insignificant number of women and artists of color".

The New York Times

Last August, for instance, an insignificant number of households in the flooded areas were receiving mail.

The New York Times

Only a small, statistically insignificant number of cases go to a jury.

The Economist

Still, a not insignificant number of subjects in the study have struggled to achieve their weight-loss targets.

The New York Times - Magazine

When talking about Texas's law regarding abortion clinics, does nine hundred thousand seem like an insignificant number of women?

The New Yorker

"I suspect that not an insignificant number of people involved have had very lousy care and are still reacting to having been involuntarily treated," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

And yet, there are among the longest of long shots a not-insignificant number of winners.

The Washington Post

A not-insignificant number of illegal immigrants and ex-convicts live there as well.

The Washington Post

When he hit it, a not-insignificant number of the 47,659 fans eventually in attendance had yet to arrive.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, in my experience a not-insignificant number of hard SF fans are not only atheists but uncomfortable with theism, and turn to space adventures precisely because theism rarely appears in tales of humanity's technological triumph over the stars.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "insignificant number of" with alternatives like "negligible" or "minimal" to make your writing more concise and impactful.

Common error

Don't assume that an "insignificant number of" always equates to complete irrelevance. In some contexts, even a small number can have a disproportionately large impact, especially in statistical analyses or critical situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insignificant number of" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a small quantity that is not considered important or impactful. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and widespread usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insignificant number of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a quantity that is so small it's not worth considering. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context warrants its use and that its intent aligns with your message. Alternatives like "negligible number of" or "minimal number of" can offer greater precision, depending on the intended meaning. Remember not to automatically equate insignificance with irrelevance, as even small numbers can sometimes carry significant weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligible number of

Emphasizes the quantity is so small it can be disregarded.

inconsiderable number of

Similar to "insignificant", but may slightly emphasize the lack of consideration it warrants.

trivial number of

Highlights the unimportance or lack of significance of the quantity.

minimal number of

Focuses on the extremely small size of the quantity.

statistically insignificant number of

Adds a statistical nuance implying that the number is too small to be statistically relevant.

non-significant number of

Implies that the number is not important.

minuscule number of

Stresses the extremely small size, often implying it's almost non-existent.

immaterial number of

Focuses on the lack of relevance or consequence of the quantity.

paltry number of

Suggests the quantity is not only small but also inadequate or contemptible.

scant number of

Emphasizes the insufficiency or inadequacy of the quantity.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "insignificant number of"?

You can use alternatives like "negligible number of", "trivial number of", or "minimal number of" depending on the context.

How does "insignificant number of" differ from "small number of"?

"Small number of" simply indicates a low quantity, whereas "insignificant number of" implies that the quantity is so low that it's not worth considering or has a negligible impact. The former is descriptive, while the latter is evaluative.

Is it appropriate to use "insignificant number of" in formal writing?

Yes, "insignificant number of" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure the context warrants its use; other formal alternatives like "negligible number of" may be more precise depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

When should I avoid using "insignificant number of"?

Avoid using "insignificant number of" when the actual number, even if small, has a significant impact or represents a crucial exception. In such cases, quantifying the number directly would be more informative.