mere number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mere number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that the quantity of something is insignificant or trivial compared to other factors. Example: "The mere number of participants does not guarantee the success of the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But Moscow's transformation goes beyond the mere number of structures.

The New York Times

The mere number of elections can be deceptive.

The Economist

Indeed, the mere number of sentences imposed here would not place the United States at the top of the incarceration lists.

The New York Times

His stocktaking entry for New Year's Day, 1890, was typical in its calm, efficient caddishness: Met Helene - Flowers from Mizi Letter from Olga Farewell letter to Jean The mere number of his conquests, however, was far less remarkable than his detachment and relentless self-scrutiny.

The New Yorker

His stocktaking entry for New Year's Day, 1890, was typical in its calm, efficient caddishness: Met Helene – Flowers from Mizi Letter from Olga Farewell letter to Jean The mere number of his conquests, however, was far less remarkable than his detachment and relentless self-scrutiny.

The New Yorker

In particular, we did not find that this would be true for the mere number of coauthors.

EPJ Data Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Mere numbers, of course, do little to diminish the nation's sense of horror.

The New York Times

Individual variation in host resistance to infection, however, is due to more than mere numbers of infectious agents encountered; it also results from innate factors in the individual host organism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Vulimiri Ramalingaswami, a pathologist and former director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research, agrees, but he offers one big caution: "Mere numbers of publications is a dangerous index to take, as even a single paper can be a seminal work".

Science Magazine

This means that essential information beyond the mere numbers of nurses and physicians in the EMR is required.

Human Resources for Health

However, more than mere numbers of professional nurses and support staff for nurses are necessary for meeting the human resource challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the scale-up of ART.

Human Resources for Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mere number of" when you want to emphasize that quantity alone is not a sufficient or meaningful indicator of something, and that other factors are more important.

Common error

Avoid using "mere number of" as a dismissive statement without providing a rationale or alternative metrics. Clearly articulate why the number is insufficient and what other qualitative factors should be considered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere number of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, emphasizing that the numerical quantity is insignificant or insufficient when considered alone. Ludwig AI provides several examples that show this pattern across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mere number of" is a useful tool for emphasizing that quantity alone is not a sufficient measure of something's importance or value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in science and news media. While the phrase is not overly common, understanding its purpose and appropriate usage can enhance the precision and nuance of your writing. Remember that using alternative phrases like "simple count of" or "insignificant quantity of" can provide subtle variations in meaning to better suit your specific needs. Avoid using the phrase dismissively; instead, focus on highlighting what other factors are more important than the "mere number".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple count of

Replaces "mere number" with a more basic term for counting, suggesting a lack of importance beyond a simple tally.

just a quantity of

Substitutes "mere number" with a phrase highlighting the limited or insufficient nature of the quantity.

sheer quantity of

Replaces "mere" with "sheer", emphasizing the quantity, but the implication of inadequacy remains.

mere amount of

Uses "amount" instead of "number", suitable for uncountable nouns, while retaining the sense of insignificance.

limited quantity of

Highlights that the amount is not only small, but also restricted or constrained.

basic tally of

Similar to 'simple count of', but 'tally' suggests a slightly more formal or organized counting.

insignificant quantity of

Explicitly states that the quantity is not significant, making the insignificance clearer.

small volume of

Replaces "number" with "volume," appropriate when referring to continuous quantities rather than discrete items, while retaining the sense of insignificance.

modest number of

Uses "modest" to downplay the size of the number.

scant amount of

Substitutes both "mere" and "number" to underscore the scarcity and inadequacy of the quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "mere number of" to indicate that the quantity of something is less important than its quality or other factors. For example: "The "mere number of" attendees doesn't reflect the event's success; the quality of their engagement does."

What are some alternatives to "mere number of"?

Alternatives include "simple count of", "just a quantity of", or "insignificant quantity of". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context.

Is it always negative to use the phrase "mere number of"?

While "mere number of" often carries a negative connotation, implying insufficiency, it can also be used neutrally to simply highlight that quantity is not the sole determining factor. The tone depends on the context and the surrounding language.

What's the difference between "mere number of" and "sheer number of"?

"Mere number of" suggests that the quantity is insignificant on its own. "Sheer number of" emphasizes the large quantity, although may still imply it is overwhelming or unmanageable.