number of ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "number of ice" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It may be intended to refer to a quantity of ice, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The number of ice cubes in the tray is not sufficient for the party."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

We're going to triple the number of ICE deportation officers.

The New York Times

They found a close relationship between the levels of dust in the atmosphere and the number of ice crystals.

The New York Times - Science

The number of ICE arrests has grown by forty per cent in the past year (though the number of deportations remains comparable to the Obama years).

The New Yorker

Neanderthal man *Lived in Europe for 300,000 years, surviving a number of ice ages before dying out 25,000 years ago.

Independent

In this case, an advantageous gene transfer might be preserved.Given the number of ice ages over the past 20m years, an antifreeze gene would be of great advantage.

The Economist

While that dramatic case has attracted considerable attention, it is but one of a surprisingly large number of ice fishing rescues that occur each year after fishermen fall through the ice or become trapped on floes that float away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

DOWNTOWN Traverse City is filled with shops, restaurants and an unusually large number of ice-cream parlours.

The Economist

Sure, the brutality of winter could be measured on a thermometer, in inches of snow or the number of ice-induced traffic accidents.

The New York Times

Fifteen hundred dunnies [toilets] for a 110,000-capacity crowd divided (or is it multiplied?) by a large number of ice-cold beers... sounds fair dinkum to me.

The Guardian

The warming of the Arctic is extending the number of ice-free days in Hudson Bay, forcing the bears off the sea ice, and away from their main diet of ring seals, and on to the land.

The Guardian

Satellite data revealed that the total number of ice-covered days across the 19 regions declined at a rate of seven to 19 days per decade from 1979 to 2014, the researchers said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to unspecified quantities of ice, use "amount of ice" or "quantity of ice" for improved grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "number of" before uncountable nouns like "ice". "Number" is for countable items. Instead, use "amount of" or "quantity of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number of ice" functions as a noun phrase that attempts to quantify ice, but its grammatical structure is flawed. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrasing is incorrect, as "number" is intended for countable items, while ice is generally considered an uncountable noun.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "number of ice" appears in numerous sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. "Ice" is generally treated as an uncountable noun, making "amount of ice" or "quantity of ice" more appropriate alternatives. Although frequently used, especially in news and scientific contexts, writers should strive for grammatical precision by choosing alternatives that accurately reflect the uncountable nature of "ice".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amount of ice

Replaces "number" with "amount", which is more suitable for uncountable nouns like ice.

quantity of ice

Similar to "amount of ice", "quantity" is a better fit for measuring ice.

volume of ice

Focuses on the three-dimensional extent of the ice.

ice count

A shorter, more direct way to refer to a count of ice pieces, though less formal.

count of ice pieces

Specifically refers to counting individual pieces of ice.

number of ice cubes

Specifically refers to the number of ice cubes, adding a clear unit.

level of ice

Used when discussing the extent or measure of ice in a specific context.

extent of ice

Focuses on the range or scope of ice coverage or accumulation.

measure of ice

General way of indicating the quantity of ice, with "measure" replacing "number".

degree of icing

Refers to the severity or intensity of ice formation or coverage.

FAQs

What is the correct way to refer to an unspecified quantity of ice?

Instead of "number of ice", use "amount of ice" or "quantity of ice". These phrases are grammatically correct when referring to substances that cannot be counted individually.

When is it appropriate to use "number of"?

"Number of" is appropriate when referring to items that can be individually counted, such as "number of ice cubes" or "number of ice crystals".

What can I say instead of "number of ice"?

Alternatives include "amount of ice", "quantity of ice", or "volume of ice", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "number of ice" or "amount of ice"?

"Amount of ice" is grammatically correct because "ice" is an uncountable noun. "Number of" is used with countable nouns.