number of men

USAGE SUMMARY

"number of men" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the quantity of men. For example: "The number of men who showed up to the event was surprisingly low."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Note the number of men needed to move the cylinders.

Princeton University

The exact number of men who got raises is unclear.

The New York Times - Tech

An unknown number of men were culled and killed.

The New York Times

A staggeringly higher number of men than women kill themselves.

The Guardian

An untold number of men, children and women have disappeared.

The New York Times

He has established contact with a number of men overseas….

The New Yorker

Forty-seven years later, the number of men undergraduates is still lower than prior to coeducation.

Princeton University

I am always amazed at the number of men I have counseled who have no friends.

The New York Times

Anti-semitism was an aspect of a number of men whom he admired, too.

The Guardian - Books

"The census figures say the number of men and women in Alston is about equal.

The Guardian

Well, for a significant number of men all of this is apparently extremely threatening.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "number of men", ensure clarity by specifying which group of men you are referring to. For example, "the number of men in the study".

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs when referring to "number of men". Because "number" is the subject, it should be treated as plural. Instead of "The number of men is growing", say "The number of men are growing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number of men" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It is used to quantify a specific group of males, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "number of men" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to quantify a group of males. As confirmed by Ludwig, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reporting and academic research to general discussions. While alternatives like "male count" exist, "number of men" provides a clear and widely understood way to express this concept. The frequent usage across authoritative sources highlights its reliability and appropriateness in diverse writing scenarios. When writing, remember to use plural verbs and provide context on what group is being quantified. In conclusion, the evidence suggests that the expression is used frequently and correctly across multiple domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

male count

Replaces "number" with "count" and uses "male" instead of "men" for a slightly more concise phrasing.

total of men

A simpler, more direct way to express the quantity of men.

male population size

More specific, referring to the size of the male population.

quantity of men

Substitutes "number" with "quantity", offering a more formal tone.

headcount of men

Replaces "number" with "headcount", suitable in contexts where counting individuals is emphasized.

male contingent size

Specifies the size of the male contingent present.

strength of the male contingent

A more descriptive and formal alternative, especially when referring to a group within a larger entity.

numerical presence of men

A formal alternative highlighting the presence of men in terms of numbers.

size of the male workforce

Focuses on the male component within a workforce.

census of men

Refers to an official count or survey of the male population.

FAQs

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

You can use "number of men" to specify the quantity of males in a group. For instance, "The "number of men" participating in the study was significant".

What's a more concise way to say "number of men"?

Alternatives include "male count" or "male population size", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "number of men" and "amount of men"?

"Number" is used for countable items, making "number of men" correct. "Amount" is generally used for uncountable quantities. Therefore, "amount of men" is not grammatically correct.

What are some formal alternatives to "number of men"?

Formal alternatives include "quantity of men" or "numerical presence of men", which may be suitable for academic or official contexts.