number of units

USAGE SUMMARY

"number of units" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The number of units produced increased by 10% this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Number of units: one.

The New York Times

Is it disproportionately large, based on the number of units?

The New York Times

The number of units shipped fell by 0.7%.

The Economist

Among other things, the laws would limit the number of units per acre.

The New York Times

She also developed a number of units as an Open University tutor.

The Guardian

"That number of units is very absorbable during that time frame".

The New York Times

There are currently no plans to increase the number of units.

The Guardian

The number of units is more than twice the density elsewhere in town".

The New York Times

Today, the number of units has quadrupled, with 156 apartments carved out of the old ones.

The New York Times

A certain number of units are designated for people with lower incomes.

The New York Times

"Find out expected completion dates, number of units in contract, and number of units closed and status of the company and tax abatements, if any," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about countable items, ensure that the noun following "number of" is plural (e.g., "number of cars", not "number of car").

Common error

Be mindful of subject-verb agreement. "The number of units is" is correct when referring to the number itself as the subject, while "a number of units are" is correct when emphasizing the units themselves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number of units" functions primarily as a noun phrase that specifies a quantity or amount of individual items. According to Ludwig, it is widely used in different contexts to denote how many items are present in a given situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "number of units" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that quantifies the amount of individual items across various contexts. According to Ludwig, it is widely used in news, science, and general writing. Keep in mind subject-verb agreement (e.g., "the number of units is") and choose the most appropriate alternative like "quantity of items" depending on the specific context. By paying attention to usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "number of units" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quantity of items

Replaces "units" with the broader term "items", focusing on the amount of things.

amount of components

Substitutes "units" with "components", implying a collection of parts forming a whole.

count of elements

Employs "elements" instead of "units", suitable when referring to distinct parts of a set.

total of items

Uses "total" to emphasize the aggregate quantity, suitable in contexts where the overall sum is important.

volume of products

Replaces "number" with "volume" and "units" with "products", emphasizing the scale or output of production.

aggregate of modules

Employs "modules" instead of "units", suggesting distinct but interconnected parts.

size of the batch

Focuses on the overall size of a group or collection, using "batch" to imply a specific quantity.

inventory count

Highlights the process of counting stock or available items, which may be called "units".

stock level

Refers to the available quantity of goods, focusing on the current inventory status.

numerical value of items

Emphasizes the numerical representation of the amount, clarifying that a quantity is being described.

FAQs

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

You can use "number of units" to describe the quantity of something, such as in "The "number of units" sold this quarter exceeded expectations".

What's a good alternative to "number of units"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "quantity of items", "amount of components", or "count of elements".

Is it better to say "the number of units is" or "the number of units are"?

Use "the number of units is" when "number" is the subject. Use "a number of units are" when emphasizing the individual units. The choice depends on what you want to emphasize.

How does "number of units" relate to business or sales contexts?

In business, "number of units" often refers to the quantity of products sold, manufactured, or in inventory. It's a key metric for tracking sales performance and managing stock levels.