number crunching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "number crunching" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of working on or sorting through large amounts of numerical data. For example, "Our team of analysts spends much of their day number crunching financial records for our clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

There has been much number crunching.

The Guardian

So we're not constantly number crunching.

The Guardian - Tech

Well, I couldn't resist some number crunching.

The New York Times

Computing has been evolved from number crunching to today's cloud.

Computers & Electrical Engineering

6.01pm: I've done a bit more number crunching.

The Guardian

Ms. Kornreich likened number crunching to watching a good play.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

This is fuzzy number-crunching.

The New York Times

He favored instinct over number-crunching.

The New York Times

It is essentially a number-crunching exercise.

The Guardian

But obviously, number-crunching can only take you so far.

The Guardian - Books

Pessimistic number-crunching by Israeli analysts echoes Obama's view.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex financial or statistical processes, use "number crunching" to simply convey the intensive computational aspect to a general audience.

Common error

Avoid using "number crunching" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "data analysis" or "statistical modeling" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number crunching" functions as a noun, often used as a gerund or part of a compound noun. It describes the act of performing complex and extensive numerical calculations, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "number crunching" is a noun phrase that describes the process of performing complex and extensive numerical calculations, typically involving large datasets. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. While widely understood, it leans towards a neutral or slightly informal tone, making it suitable for news articles, business contexts, and general communication. For more formal academic or technical writing, consider using alternatives like "data analysis" or "statistical modeling" for precision. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

data analysis

Focuses more broadly on the analysis of data, not necessarily numerical.

statistical analysis

Emphasizes the use of statistical methods.

quantitative analysis

Highlights the use of quantitative methods in the analysis.

numerical computation

Stresses the computational aspect.

financial modeling

Specifically refers to creating models for financial analysis.

mathematical calculation

Focuses on the mathematical aspect of the calculations.

spreadsheet work

Indicates working with spreadsheets, a common tool for numerical tasks.

accounting

Implies managing and analyzing financial accounts.

mathematical processing

Stresses the processing and manipulation of numbers.

algorithmic processing

Implies the use of algorithms in the numerical processing.

FAQs

How can I use "number crunching" in a sentence?

"Number crunching" typically refers to performing extensive calculations, often with large datasets. For example, "The analyst spent the day doing "number crunching" to forecast sales figures."

What are some alternatives to "number crunching"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "data analysis", "statistical analysis", or "quantitative analysis" as alternatives to "number crunching".

Is "number crunching" appropriate for formal writing?

While "number crunching" is widely understood, it's often considered informal. For formal writing, consider using more precise and professional terms like ""data analysis"" or "statistical modeling".

What kind of tasks does "number crunching" usually involve?

"Number crunching" usually involves tasks such as analyzing financial data, performing statistical calculations, or processing large datasets to identify patterns and trends.