not that many

USAGE SUMMARY

"not that many" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to downplay the number of something, such as: I only have three books in that collection, not that many.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not that many.

BBC

"Or not that many.

The New York Times

But not that many".

The New York Times

Not that many people can".

The New York Times

Not that many people noticed.

The New York Times - Magazine

There are not that many".

The New York Times

Not that many, right?

Cornell University

There are not that many left anymore.

The New York Times - Travel

"There's not that many of us".

The New York Times

Not that many would notice these days.

The Economist

There are not that many rituals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not that many" when you want to downplay a quantity without being overly precise. It's suitable for general communication where an exact number isn't crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "not that many" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "relatively few" or "a limited number" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not that many" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun in a negative way to indicate a small number or amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is acceptable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not that many" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote a small quantity. As Ludwig AI indicates, its acceptability in written English is confirmed by its frequent appearance in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in highly academic or professional settings. For conveying the idea of a limited number without being overly precise, "not that many" remains a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not so many

Simple synonym with a slightly less emphatic tone.

not a lot

More informal, emphasizes quantity rather than count.

just a few

Adds emphasis to the small quantity.

relatively few

More formal and indicates a comparison to a larger potential number.

a few

More positive connotation, suggesting some exist, even if few.

only a handful

Implies a very small, easily countable number.

not numerous

More formal and emphasizes the lack of a large number.

scarce

Emphasizes the rarity or limited availability.

not abundant

Highlights the lack of plentifulness.

in short supply

Focuses on the limited availability of something.

FAQs

How can I use "not that many" in a sentence?

You can use "not that many" to indicate a small quantity or number, such as: "Not that many people attended the meeting" or "I don't have not that many books on that topic".

What are some alternatives to "not that many"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a few", "just a few", "scarce", or "relatively few".

Is it correct to say "there are not that many"?

Yes, "there are not that many" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate a small quantity or number of something.

What is the difference between "not that many" and "not so many"?

While both phrases are similar, "not so many" can sometimes imply a comparison or expectation. "Not that many" is generally a more direct statement about quantity, while "not so many" might suggest fewer than expected.