low number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "low number of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a small quantity or count of something. For example: "There was a low number of participants in the survey." Alternative expressions include "small number of," "few," and "limited number of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That may account for the low number of complaints.

The New York Times

This work is limited by the low number of patients.

Nature

What's really behind the low number of female directors.

Harvard Business Review

An abnormally low number of neutrophils is called neutropenia.

Britannica

Thrombocytopenia, abnormally low number of platelets (thrombocytes) in the circulation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The low number of rental units isn't surprising.

The New York Times

Sealing was performed in a low number of houses.

Science of The Total Environment

The distributor will keep it in a low number of venues and build out slowly.

The Guardian - Film

"The low number of violations puts into perspective that most athletes are drug-free," Wadler said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Dillon added, "We have a very low number of problems" at Lighthouse Beach.

The New York Times - Style

Britain has a low number of 16- to 25-year-olds.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "low number of", ensure that the noun you are referring to is countable. For uncountable nouns, consider using "small amount of" or "limited quantity of" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "low number of" with uncountable nouns. For example, instead of saying "low number of water", use "small amount of water" or "low level of water" for better accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low number of" functions as a determiner modifying a noun, indicating a quantifier that specifies a small or reduced quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "low number of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a small quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific studies. When using this phrase, remember to apply it to countable nouns and, when necessary, consider using alternatives like "small amount of" or "limited quantity of" for uncountable nouns. Always consider your audience and be as specific as possible to improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small quantity of

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing the amount rather than the count.

limited amount of

Substitutes "low number" with "limited amount", highlighting the restricted nature of the quantity.

few instances of

Replaces "number" with "instances", suitable when referring to occurrences or examples.

scarce quantity of

Emphasizes the rarity or scarcity of the amount, adding a sense of limited availability.

insufficient supply of

Highlights the inadequacy of the supply, focusing on the lack of enough resources.

minimal presence of

Indicates a very slight or barely noticeable existence of something.

paucity of

A more formal and concise way to express a scarcity or lack of something.

reduced incidence of

Specifically refers to a decrease in the rate or frequency of occurrence.

dearth of

A more emphatic way to express a lack or shortage of something, implying a severe deficiency.

lack of

A general expression for absence or insufficiency, simpler and less specific than "low number of".

FAQs

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

You can use "low number of" to describe a situation where there are few instances of something. For example, "The experiment had a "low number of" participants due to the strict requirements."

What are some alternatives to "low number of"?

Alternatives include "small amount of", "limited quantity of", or "few instances of", depending on the specific context and what you are describing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "low number of"?

Yes, "low number of" is grammatically correct when used with countable nouns. For uncountable nouns, use phrases like "small amount of" instead.

What's the difference between "low number of" and "small amount of"?

"Low number of" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "low number of cars"), while "small amount of" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "small amount of water").