number of tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "number of tasks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the quantity or count of tasks that need to be completed or are being discussed. Example: "The project manager outlined the number of tasks that need to be finished by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They all showed some improvement on a number of tasks.

The New York Times - Science

"When an organisation is overburdened by an unmanageable number of tasks, things go wrong.

The Guardian

Specialist hardware, designed to do a small number of tasks well, could offer significant speed-ups.

The Economist

Consider an alternative: doing routine home maintenance after 5 p.m. Any number of tasks can be completed in one or two evenings after work.

The New York Times

David Russell, Apple's director of wireless products, said that his company had decided to support only a limited number of tasks for Bluetooth for now.

The New York Times - Tech

Her sister takes care of a "number of tasks" when her full time assistant has time off to spend off with her daughter, said Kirkbride.

The Guardian

OS/MVT (Multiple Programming with a Variable Number of Tasks) allowed memory divisions to be re-created as needed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There are any number of tasks to be done, and they're as personal as your thumbprint," Dr. Rainer said.

The New York Times - Health

COMING SOON: This fall, Bench will introduce its mobile app to simplify the small number of tasks clients have.

The New York Times

Then, in the interviews, I described a number of tasks and projects that called for some analytical thinking and creativity.

The New York Times

On duty they have any number of tasks to fulfil, but off-duty there are many empty hours to fill.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a specific set of tasks, precede "number of tasks" with a clear description of the task scope to provide context for the reader. For example, "The number of tasks in the project's initial phase was underestimated."

Common error

Avoid using "number of tasks" when a simpler phrasing suffices. Instead of "The number of tasks is high", consider using "There are many tasks" or "The workload is heavy" for a more concise and direct expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number of tasks" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a determiner phrase. It typically modifies another noun by specifying the quantity or count. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, indicating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "number of tasks" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for quantifying specific assignments. As indicated by Ludwig, it appears prominently in News & Media and Science sources. Alternative phrasings like "quantity of tasks" or "count of tasks" offer subtle variations in emphasis. While the expression is broadly acceptable, writers should be mindful of contexts where simpler phrasing may enhance clarity. The phrase's versatility and widespread usage affirm its significance in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quantity of tasks

Replaces "number" with "quantity", focusing on the amount or extent of tasks.

count of tasks

Uses "count" instead of "number", emphasizing the act of enumeration.

amount of tasks

Substitutes "number" with "amount", typically used for uncountable items, though acceptable for tasks in some contexts.

total tasks

A shorter, more direct way of saying "number of tasks", useful when the total is already understood.

tally of tasks

Replaces "number" with "tally", suggesting a calculated total.

volume of tasks

Uses "volume" to indicate the magnitude or extent of tasks, often implying workload.

magnitude of tasks

Emphasizes the size or importance of the tasks involved.

extent of tasks

Focuses on the range or scope of the tasks.

degree of tasks

Highlights the level or intensity of the tasks.

proportion of tasks

Emphasizes the relative amount of tasks compared to a whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "number of tasks" to describe the quantity of work required or completed, for example, "The project involves a large number of tasks" or "The team successfully completed a high number of tasks last quarter".

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

You can use alternatives like "quantity of tasks", "amount of tasks", or "count of tasks" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a number of tasks" or "the number of tasks"?

"A number of tasks" implies several tasks without specifying the exact quantity, while "the number of tasks" refers to a specific, known quantity. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a general amount or a precise figure.

What is the difference between "number of tasks" and "scope of work"?

"Number of tasks" refers to the quantity of individual assignments. "Scope of work", on the other hand, encompasses all activities, deliverables, and resources needed to complete a project. The "scope of work" provides a broader overview, whereas "number of tasks" is more specific.