numbered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "numbered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been assigned a numerical value or order, often in lists or sequences. Example: "The items on the list are numbered for easy reference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their Championship days look numbered as they lie seven points from safety with four games to play, and League One beckons for a side who this time last season were heading for the play-offs.

The Guardian - Sport

Observers remember that when he resigned, it was a sign Howard's days were numbered.

The Guardian

Gascoigne's England days were numbered by now - his international career was over less than two years later - but the drinking, and the media feeding-frenzy that went with it, would tragically come to define him.

The Guardian - Sport

I was 17, and the owner of an irregular music collection that numbered about 20 albums, most of them a real shame (OMC's How Bizarre, the Grease 2 soundtrack).

The Guardian - Music

It was never about music (it's no accident that Jay-Z's albums are numbered as volumes and "blueprints", like abstract paintings – one, two, three, four).

The Guardian - Music

The days of long lines of Apple fans queuing outside stores for days ahead of new product releases could be numbered, if a leaked internal memo is to be believed.

The Guardian - Tech

By March 2000 – when, for my part, I'd already siphoned off a few hundred of those 4m – the Napster community numbered more than 20 million.

The Guardian - Music

And it means The Black Lion's trading days, which date back to 1704 when it was first registered as an alehouse, are numbered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A federal appeals court ruled the program illegal last month, all but ensuring its days were numbered.

The Guardian

Recently, sales have been numbered in hundreds.

The Guardian

The entire club of scientists numbered a few hundred thousand.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series or sequence, use "numbered" to clearly indicate the order or position of items. For instance, "The steps are numbered for easy understanding."

Common error

Avoid using "numbered" to imply scarcity when "few" or "limited" is more appropriate. "The attendees were numbered" can be confusing; instead, specify "The attendees were few" or "The attendees numbered only ten".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "numbered" is as a verb in the past participle form. It is used to describe something that has been assigned a number or is part of a sequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is frequently employed to denote order or quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "numbered" is a versatile verb form used to indicate sequential ordering, quantity, or limitation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and commonly found in diverse contexts, particularly in news and formal writing. To avoid confusion, it should not be used interchangeably with "few" when expressing scarcity. Alternatives like "listed" or "counted" can offer more precision depending on the intended meaning. The examples from Ludwig show that "numbered" is used to clearly communicate order, quantity, or a sense of impending end.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assigned a number

Directly indicates the act of giving a numerical identifier.

counted

Focuses on the act of counting or including something in a total.

listed

Emphasizes the creation of a list, often implying an ordered sequence.

totaled

Highlights the calculation of a sum or aggregate.

itemized

Suggests a detailed breakdown into individual items.

finite

Emphasizes the limited or defined nature of a set or duration.

limited

Focuses on the restriction or constraint applied to something.

designated

Highlights the assignment of a specific role or position.

cataloged

Implies a systematic organization and recording of items.

enumerated

Stresses the act of specifying items one by one.

FAQs

How to use "numbered" in a sentence?

You can use "numbered" to indicate items in a sequence, such as "The pages are numbered for easy reference", or to quantify a group, like "The protesters numbered in the thousands".

What does it mean when someone says their days are "numbered"?

When someone's days are said to be "numbered", it means their time is limited or their end is near. It implies a foreseeable conclusion, often in a negative or serious context.

What can I say instead of "the days are numbered"?

You can use phrases like "time is running out", "end is near", or "fate is sealed" as alternatives to "the days are numbered" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "numbered" or "are numbered"?

Both "numbered" and "are numbered" can be correct, depending on the sentence structure. "Numbered" is used when it acts as a verb in the past tense (e.g., "The houses were numbered"), while "are numbered" is used in the passive voice (e.g., "Each house's days are numbered").