measuring the number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "measuring the number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of quantifying or assessing a specific quantity or value. Example: "In our research, we are measuring the number of participants who completed the survey."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Imagine another axis measuring the number of tables and another measuring the variety of wines in the cellar.

The New York Times - Science

According to Technorati.com, Mr. Jarvis ranks 63rd among sites in measuring the number of other sites that link to him.

The New York Times

The data is provided by the World Bank, which has been measuring the number of internet users by country since 1990.

The Guardian

The weekly jobless claims figure (measuring the number of people filing new unemployment benefit claims) dipped by 2,000 people to 312,000.

The Guardian - Business

But IMS also tracks the outcome of the call by measuring the number of "contacts" with the physician and medical staff during the rep's visit.

Harvard Business Review

Next, the researchers analyzed the activity of 20,000 genes in each cell line by measuring the number of gene transcripts on DNA microarray chips.

MIT Technology Review

The radio-frequency or microwave spectrum was taken by measuring the number of atoms that remained focused in the apparatus while the frequency was varied.

Britannica

Measuring the number of people registering to vote or engaging with their representatives in Facebook discussions gives a measure of increases in civic engagement.

Harvard Business Review

"We've been measuring the number of new users per minute and it was about 100 two days ago and then got up to about 600 yesterday," Moore said.

The Washington Post

Here, see how well you do on this quiz, measuring the number of coal mining extraction workers against a number of other categories.

The Washington Post

The device can be used for traceable calibration of instruments measuring the number concentration of the particles.

Journal of Aerosol Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym if "measuring the number" sounds repetitive. Alternatives like "quantifying the count" or "assessing the quantity" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "measuring the number" when an exact count is already known. The phrase implies a process of estimation or calculation, so use it when there's a degree of uncertainty or effort involved in determining the quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "measuring the number" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or part of the subject in a sentence. It describes the action of quantifying or assessing a numerical value, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. The function is to describe the process of quantification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "measuring the number" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for describing the process of quantifying or assessing numerical values. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, especially science and news media. While versatile, it's essential to consider context and precision, opting for alternatives like "quantifying the count" when appropriate. Understanding its nuances ensures clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quantifying the count

Replaces "measuring" with "quantifying" and "number" with "count", focusing on the act of finding a precise quantity.

assessing the quantity

Substitutes "measuring" with "assessing" and "number" with "quantity", emphasizing evaluation rather than direct measurement.

determining the amount

Uses "determining" instead of "measuring" and "amount" in place of "number", highlighting the act of finding out the total.

calculating the total

Replaces "measuring the number" with "calculating the total", emphasizing the arithmetic aspect of finding a sum.

evaluating the magnitude

Employs "evaluating" instead of "measuring" and "magnitude" in place of "number", focusing on assessing the size or extent.

ascertaining the value

Replaces "measuring" with "ascertaining" and "number" with "value", implying a more formal and precise determination.

finding the figure

Uses more informal language, replacing "measuring" with "finding" and "number" with "figure".

tallying the sum

Substitutes "measuring" with "tallying" and "number" with "sum", suggesting a process of counting and adding up.

computing the aggregate

Uses "computing" and "aggregate" for a more technical or statistical context.

reckoning the total

Employs "reckoning", offering a more dated or literary alternative to "measuring", and retains "total".

FAQs

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

You can use "measuring the number" to describe the process of quantifying something. For example, "Researchers are "measuring the number" of bacteria in the sample" or "The study involves "measuring the number" of attendees at the conference."

What can I say instead of "measuring the number"?

You can use alternatives like "quantifying the count", "assessing the quantity", or "determining the amount" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "measuring the amount" or "measuring the number"?

"Measuring the number" is generally used for countable items, while "measuring the amount" is used for uncountable substances or quantities. For instance, you'd say ""measuring the number" of students" but "measuring the amount of water."

What's the difference between "measuring the number" and "counting the number"?

"Measuring the number" often implies a more complex or indirect method of quantification, while "counting the number" suggests a direct enumeration. Measuring might involve estimation or statistical analysis, while counting is a straightforward tally.