large number of countries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large number of countries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant quantity of countries in a specific context, such as discussing international relations, trade, or global issues. Example: "A large number of countries have committed to reducing carbon emissions in order to combat climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That is a large number of countries," Mr. Monti said.

The New York Times

Since my release I have lived and worked in a large number of countries.

The Guardian - Books

THE past few years have seen simultaneous housing booms in an unusually large number of countries.

The Economist

This is a fairly common chemical carried aboard ships and it is produced in a large number of countries.

The Guardian

"That is a large number of countries," Mr. Monti said, but he declined to name the countries or the number.

The New York Times

Agnès has conducted human rights investigations in a large number of countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The Guardian

But these were more than outweighed in these years by the large number of countries seeking admission.

The Guardian - Opinion

But, then, a large number of countries actually want to go in that direction, so this is nothing new.

The Guardian

The Asia-Pacific region includes a large number of countries offering a broad range and quality of healthcare services.

Pathology

Education in sustainable development is a goal recognised by a large number of countries and a vital concept in healthcare.

Nurse Education Today

He related how he had commissioned research in a large number of countries into how subscribers in those territories used the publication.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "large number of countries", ensure the context provides clarity on why the number is significant, whether for economic, political, or social reasons.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "large number of countries" without providing any specific details or reasons for the large number. Always provide context to justify the quantification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large number of countries" functions as a determiner phrase, quantifying and specifying the noun "countries". It indicates that a significant quantity of countries is being referred to. As Ludwig indicates, it is generally considered a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "large number of countries" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that a significant quantity of countries is involved in a specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for describing global phenomena, agreements, or situations. While versatile, it's best practice to provide context clarifying why the quantity is significant. Alternatives such as "many nations" or "numerous countries" can be used for variety, but "large number of countries" effectively emphasizes scale and extent across various domains, including science, news media, and formal business contexts. The high frequency and consistent application across authoritative sources underscore its validity and utility in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many nations

Uses a more concise synonym for "countries".

numerous countries

Replaces "large" with "numerous", indicating a high quantity.

a multitude of countries

Emphasizes the great quantity using "multitude".

a significant number of countries

Highlights the importance of the quantity.

a great many countries

Emphasizes a high quantity using "great many".

a host of countries

Implies a large and diverse group of countries.

a considerable number of countries

Highlights that the amount of countries is noteworthy.

several countries

Indicates more than a few, but less than 'many'.

an abundance of countries

Focuses on the plentiful nature of the countries.

a good number of countries

Indicates a reasonably large quantity.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "large number of countries"?

You can use alternatives like "many nations", "numerous countries", or "a multitude of countries" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a large number of countries" or "many countries"?

Both phrases are correct, but "large number of countries" can be used to emphasize the significance of the quantity. "Many countries" is more concise and suitable for general use.

How do I use "large number of countries" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe situations involving many countries, such as: "A "large number of countries" have committed to the Paris Agreement".

What is the difference between "large number of countries" and "most countries"?

"Large number of countries" indicates a significant quantity but not necessarily a majority. "Most countries" implies more than 50% of all countries.