largest number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largest number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the greatest amount of something. For example, "We collected the largest number of votes of any candidate in the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The largest number of non-E.U.

The New York Times

"We employ the largest number of immigrants, the largest number of welfare-to-work people, the largest number of single mothers," says Wilhelm.

The New York Times - Magazine

The largest number of files came from Senator Durbin's office.

The New York Times

The largest number of vacancies, 11, is in Essex County.

The New York Times

The largest number of its clients are in housing court.

The New York Times

The largest number of returns are mailed on the fifteenth.

The New Yorker

Belgium & Holland always had the largest number of diamond cutters.

The New Yorker

But the largest number of poor children are white.

The New York Times

He hasn't got a majority but wins the largest number of votes and even possibly the largest number of seats.

The Guardian

While London has the largest number of affluent people, it also has the largest number of poor people.

The Guardian

Rogers has the largest number of BlackBerry subscribers in Canada.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largest number of", ensure that the noun you are referring to is countable. For uncountable nouns, use "largest amount of" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "largest amount of" when referring to countable items. "Amount" is for uncountable nouns; use "number" for things you can count individually.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largest number of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun phrase. It quantifies a countable noun, specifying that it is present in the greatest quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "largest number of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression in English to indicate the greatest quantity of a countable noun. Ludwig AI confirms that its use is appropriate across various contexts, including news media, scientific literature, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the noun being quantified is indeed countable, opting for "largest amount of" for uncountable nouns. Alternative phrases like "greatest number of" or "majority of" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greatest number of

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing the superlative nature of the quantity.

highest quantity of

This alternative replaces "number" with "quantity", focusing on the measurable amount.

largest proportion of

This alternative emphasizes the relative size within a whole, rather than the absolute count.

majority of

This alternative shifts the focus to a proportion greater than half, rather than the absolute count.

bulk of

This alternative suggests a significant portion or mass, often used for tangible items.

most of

This alternative is a more general way to indicate the largest part.

record number of

This alternative highlights that the number is the highest ever recorded.

principal amount of

This alternative emphasizes the importance and significance in size of an amount.

vast amount of

This alternative is used to express a big quantity of something.

top number of

This alternative is used to express the record or higher number.

FAQs

How can I use "largest number of" in a sentence?

Use "largest number of" to indicate the greatest quantity of a countable item. For example, "Our company has the "largest number of" employees in the industry."

What's a good alternative to "largest number of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "greatest number of", "highest quantity of", or "majority of".

Is it correct to say "largest amount of" instead of "largest number of"?

It depends on the noun you're modifying. Use "largest amount of" with uncountable nouns (e.g., "largest amount of water"), and "largest number of" with countable nouns (e.g., "largest number of students").

When should I use "most" instead of "largest number of"?

"Most" can often replace "largest number of" in simpler constructions, but "largest number of" is more precise and formal. For example, instead of "The store has the "largest number of" customers", you could say "The store has "most" customers".