many pupils

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "many pupils" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large number of students, typically in an educational context. Example: "Many pupils participated in the science fair this year, showcasing their innovative projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Seymour has had many pupils.

The New Yorker

Murillo had many pupils and innumerable followers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His fame attracted many pupils, including Ludwig van Beethoven.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During the session, many pupils look embarrassed.

The Guardian

Thenceforth, Origen lived at Caesarea, where he attracted many pupils.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We didn't know how many pupils we had, or where.

The Economist

Many pupils arrive at school having not eaten that morning.

The Guardian

He will also be remembered by his many pupils.

The New York Times - Arts

He had many pupils who carried on his tradition.

Britannica

It goes to many pupils who do not need it.

The Guardian

Among his many pupils are some of today's leading musicians.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing educational statistics or enrollment figures, use "many pupils" to convey a general sense of quantity without needing to specify an exact number. For example, "The school has seen a significant increase in enrollment; consequently, "many pupils" now attend extra tutoring sessions."

Common error

While informal language is fine in some contexts, avoid substituting "many pupils" with slang or overly casual terms like "tons of kids" in academic or professional writing. Stick to more neutral and widely accepted phrases such as "numerous students" or "a large number of learners".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many pupils" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying the noun "pupils". It indicates an indefinite, but substantial, number of students. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage across a range of contexts, affirming its role in denoting quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "many pupils" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a significant number of students, primarily in primary and secondary educational contexts. Ludwig confirms its widespread usage across diverse sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and formal business documents. While versatile, maintaining a neutral tone is advisable, especially in formal writing. Consider context-appropriate alternatives like "numerous students" or "a large number of learners" for variety. Ludwig AI's assessment underscores the phrase's correctness and utility in conveying quantitative information about student populations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous students

Replaces "many pupils" with synonyms, emphasizing a large quantity of students.

a large number of students

Rephrases "many pupils" using a more descriptive expression.

a great many learners

Similar to "many pupils" but with a slightly more emphatic tone.

a multitude of learners

Emphasizes the great number of learners, offering a slightly more formal tone.

considerable number of pupils

Replaces "many" with "considerable", emphasizing the significance of the number.

significant number of students

Emphasizes the importance of the number of students involved.

several students

Indicates more than a few, though fewer than "many pupils".

plenty of students

Suggests an adequate or more than adequate number of students.

a host of students

Implies a large and impressive number of students.

various students

Highlights the diversity within the student population, implying there are many of them.

FAQs

What is a good substitute for "many pupils"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "numerous students", "a large number of students", or "several students".

Is it better to say "many students" or "many pupils"?

"Many students" and "many pupils" are often interchangeable. "Pupils" is typically used for those in primary or secondary education, while "students" can refer to anyone studying, including those in higher education. The choice depends on the specific educational context you're describing.

How can I use "many pupils" in a sentence?

You can use "many pupils" to describe a large group of students, such as, "The new program benefited "many pupils" who were struggling with mathematics." Alternatively, you could say, "Many pupils find the transition to secondary school challenging."

What is the difference between "many pupils" and "most pupils"?

"Many pupils" indicates a large, but not necessarily majority, group of students. "Most pupils", on the other hand, implies that more than half of the students are being referred to. For example, "Many pupils struggle with algebra", while "Most pupils find reading enjoyable.