know the number

USAGE SUMMARY

"know the number" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You would typically use this phrase when asking for or offering a number to someone. For example, "If you need my phone number, just let me know the number and I'll text it to you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I don't know the number.

The New York Times - Magazine

So, you have to know the number of shares.

Yale University

"We should know the number of people in the regions".

The New York Times

"We know the number of them and their names".

The Guardian

"You know the number I focus on?" he asked.

The New York Times

If not, how the hell did Kawamoto know the number?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I suspect most people would rather not know - the number is that far out of reach.

Huffington Post

"We don't know the number," Ms. Riley said.

The New York Times

He could be asked about shoe imports and Paul would know the number".

The New York Times

Billionaires, at least those related to the US government, know the number is way higher.

Huffington Post

So I usually don't even know the number of the streak.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "know the number" in technical writing, ensure the context clearly defines what the number represents to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "know the number" when you actually mean "knowing how many". "Know the number" refers to a specific, identified number, whereas "knowing how many" implies a quantity or count of items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "know the number" functions as a verb phrase, where "know" is the main verb indicating awareness or possession of information, and "the number" acts as the direct object, specifying what is known. Ludwig's examples show its use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "know the number" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate awareness or possession of a specific numerical value. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, academic writing, and wiki articles, signifying its versatility across various registers. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the number being referred to. Common errors include confusing it with "knowing how many", which implies a quantity or count. Alternatives such as "be aware of the figure" or "have knowledge of the quantity" can provide a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be aware of the figure

Replaces "know" with "be aware of" and "number" with "figure", slightly altering the tone.

have knowledge of the quantity

Substitutes "know" with "have knowledge of" and "number" with "quantity", making it more formal.

be informed about the amount

Uses "be informed about" instead of "know" and "amount" instead of "number", focusing on receiving information.

possess the figure

Replaces "know the number" with a more concise expression, focusing on having the information.

be familiar with the statistic

Changes "number" to "statistic" and "know" to "be familiar with", implying a deeper understanding.

have an understanding of the value

Replaces "know" with "have an understanding of" and "number" with "value", emphasizing comprehension.

ascertain the numerical value

Uses "ascertain" for "know" and specifies "numerical value" for "number", making it more precise.

determine the count

Substitutes "know" with "determine" and "number" with "count", focusing on the act of finding the value.

recognize the digit

Replaces "number" with "digit" and "know" with "recognize", implying visual identification.

recall the enumeration

Uses "recall" instead of "know" and "enumeration" instead of "number", focusing on remembering the value.

FAQs

How can I use "know the number" in a sentence?

You can use "know the number" when referring to being aware of a specific numerical value, such as "Do you "know the number" of employees in the company?"

What is a more formal way to say "know the number"?

A more formal alternative to "know the number" is to say "be aware of the figure" or "have knowledge of the quantity".

What's the difference between "know the number" and "knowing the amount"?

"Know the number" typically refers to a specific, singular value, while "knowing the amount" can refer to a quantity or sum. For example, you might "know the number" of your bank account, but you "know the number" of money you have in it.

When is it appropriate to use "know the number" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "know the number" when the context involves needing to be aware of a particular numerical value or digit for a specific purpose.