number of animals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "number of animals" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it when you want to refer to the quantity of animals in a certain group or population. For example, "The number of animals in the zoo has increased significantly in the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A number of animals are sensitive to infrasonic frequencies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The number of animals accompanying an army varied widely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The number of animals produced for human consumption is huge.

The New York Times

Mr. Maltz said that keeping a large number of animals could cause friction.

The New York Times

"Abandonment cases with this number of animals are unusual," Mr. Burkhart said.

The New York Times

"We're not going into parks and killing large number of animals now," she said.

The New York Times - Science

The number of animals that had to be euthanized decreased by 28percentt.

The New York Times

The bill also seeks to limit the number of animals used for research.

The New Yorker

The number of animals used in toxicological testing has also been dropping.

The Guardian

The mice will bring a 10-fold increase in the number of animals they oversee.

The New York Times

Writer took a walk with Gunther and saw a number of animals.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about animal populations, specify the context clearly (e.g., "the number of animals in the park", "the number of animals used in the study") for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "number of animals" without specifying the relevant group or location, as it can lead to ambiguity. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number of animals" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It specifies a quantity of living creatures, as seen in Ludwig's examples concerning animal populations and research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "number of animals" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a quantity of animals. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. This phrase is used to quantify animal populations, report on research involving animals, and discuss conservation efforts. While broadly applicable, it's best practice to specify the context for clarity. Overall, "number of animals" is a versatile and correct phrase for a variety of writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quantity of animals

Uses a different word to describe the amount, providing a subtle shift in tone.

total animals

Highlights the overall sum of animals being considered.

animal count

Focuses more directly on the act of counting rather than the quantity itself.

aggregate animal

Refers to combining different types of animals to create an animal "group".

animal population size

More specific, referring to the size of a group of animals in a particular area.

headcount of animals

Emphasizes the simple act of counting individuals, similar to counting people.

animal figures

More statistical, implying numerical data about animals.

animal statistics

Suggests a more comprehensive collection of data beyond just a simple count.

animal abundance

Emphasizes the plentifulness or high quantity of animals.

animal density

Refers to the number of animals per unit area.

FAQs

How do I use "number of animals" in a sentence?

You can use "number of animals" to refer to a count or quantity, such as "The "number of animals" in the sanctuary has increased" or "Scientists are studying the "number of animals" affected by the oil spill".

What are some alternatives to "number of animals"?

Alternatives include "animal count", "animal population size", or "quantity of animals" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "animal number" or "number of animals"?

"Number of animals" is generally preferred as it follows standard English grammar and is more commonly used. "Animal number" is less conventional.

What factors influence the "number of animals" in a given region?

Many factors influence the "number of animals" including availability of resources, climate, human activity, and conservation efforts.