number of items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "number of items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific count or quantity of objects, products, or elements in a given context. Example: "The number of items in the inventory has increased significantly this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Return value is number of items read.

Yale University

Return value is number of items printed.

Yale University

A number of items were removed for forensic examination.

The Guardian

Do you negotiate the number of items you can take?

The Guardian

Returns the number of items in the chooser.

Stanford University

The number of items was reduced to 38 items.

Patient Education and Counseling

But the number of items sold to each customer fell.

The Economist

The documents also said investigators had failed to find a number of items despite extensive searches.

The New York Times

She bought a shocking number of items during their travels around Europe.

The New Yorker

The merchant prompts her with questions concerning number of items, color, size and so on.

The New York Times

The delightfully long list of starters includes a number of items rarely found elsewhere.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "number of items", ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes an "item". Ambiguity can lead to misinterpretation. For example, specify "number of items per customer" or "number of clothing items" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "number of items" with non-countable nouns. Instead of saying "number of items of water", use "amount of water" or "quantity of water". "Number" is best suited for discrete, countable entities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number of items" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific quantity or tally of objects, elements, or units, as exemplified in Ludwig AI's examples. It commonly quantifies discrete entities across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "number of items" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to specify a quantity of countable objects or units. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in various contexts, although it's essential to use it with countable nouns. It is most commonly found in scientific, news media, and academic settings. Alternatives like "quantity of things" or "count of objects" can be used to add variety to your writing. Avoiding misuse with non-countable nouns and ensuring clear context are key to effective communication with the phrase "number of items".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quantity of things

Replaces "items" with a more general term "things", emphasizing the amount rather than the specific objects.

count of objects

Substitutes "number" with "count" and "items" with "objects", focusing on enumeration.

amount of articles

Replaces "items" with "articles", suitable when referring to written pieces or specific products.

total of elements

Uses "total" instead of "number" and "elements" in place of "items", applicable in a more abstract or technical context.

sum of units

Employs "sum" to indicate the total and "units" for individual items, suitable for countable entities.

aggregate of commodities

Replaces "number" with "aggregate" and "items" with "commodities", often used in economic or trade-related discussions.

volume of pieces

Substitutes "number" with "volume" and "items" with "pieces", highlighting the quantity of individual parts.

collection of units

Replaces "number" with "collection" implying a group, and "items" with "units", suitable in contexts where items are standardized.

inventory size

Focuses on the extent of an inventory, replacing the direct count with a measure of the overall size.

stock level

Indicates the quantity of items in stock, used mainly in business or retail settings.

FAQs

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

You can use "number of items" to specify a quantity in various contexts. For example, "The "number of items" in the box is 12" or "Please check the "number of items" before submitting your order."

What are some alternatives to "number of items"?

Alternatives include "quantity of things", "count of objects", or "amount of articles", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the amount of items"?

While "amount" can refer to a quantity, it's generally used with non-countable nouns. "Number of items" is more appropriate for discrete, countable entities. To be completely precise you may want to opt for "quantity of items".

What's the difference between "number of items" and "quantity of items"?

Both phrases are largely interchangeable. However, "number of items" is typically used when referring to a specific count, whereas ""quantity of items"" can sometimes imply a less precise estimate.