numerous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "numerous" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a large number or amount of something. For example: Everywhere I looked, there were numerous toys scattered across the living room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When it was reported in November 2012 that Carr was keeping a diary of his time as foreign minister with the intent of publishing it – based on the accounts of numerous sources – Carr immediately issued a statement denying he was writing a book.

The Guardian

Breen, currently writing his personal story of life as a policeman during the conflict, said: "I had approached numerous RUC officers who were keen to leave a living record of what went on in their fight against terrorism over the years.

The Guardian

There are numerous galleries and shops and a cute little music hall called De Badcuyp, which is perhaps the best example of the district's transformation.

The Guardian - Travel

The Irish government has also been opening an eye that had turned the other way to avert its gaze from numerous Provo transgressions.

The Guardian

Some birds of prey also thrived on grouse moors because of these plentiful food supplies: merlin were four times more numerous on grouse moors than in other locations (although this may be because, unlike hen harriers, they are too small to kill grouse).

The Guardian

Clinton's campaign has, on numerous occasions, dismissed speculation over the nonprofit's internal dealings as conservative propaganda.

The Guardian

The government of Sri Lanka decided to accept this "gesture of goodwill" and to not "pursue this distasteful issue any further", while carefully ignoring additional inclusions in the statement that "numerous cases of rape and sexual violence in Sri Lanka, particularly acts committed against women held in detention by the government", have been detailed in the past.

The Guardian - Opinion

King was appearing before a Senate committee inquiry into domestic violence in Darwin on Tuesday, which heard from numerous Northern Territory organisations about the extent of the issue in Indigenous communities.

The Guardian

The prosecution claimed that Mote submitted numerous false claims for parliamentary assistance allowances for payment for work that organisations had carried out on his behalf.

The Guardian

The energy companies, including Centrica, EDF and RWE npower, have also placed numerous staff into government departments on secondments, either funded by the taxpayer or provided for free.

The Guardian - Money

Almost three hours before he sealed victory with the last of numerous untameable forehands, Tsonga had walked on to Court Philippe Chatrier, where local favourite Alizé Cornet had just been beaten by the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, to find the crowd in subdued mood.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While "numerous" is versatile, it might not be the best choice in very informal settings. In those cases, simpler alternatives like "many" or "several" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "numerous" is a perfectly valid word, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Overusing it can make your language sound stilted or unnatural. In such contexts, opt for more common alternatives like "many" or "a lot of" to maintain a natural and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "numerous" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate a large quantity or number. Ludwig examples confirm its adjectival use, describing the quantity of various nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "numerous" functions as an adjective to signify a large quantity or number. It is generally considered grammatically correct and sees frequent use, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in very informal settings, as simpler synonyms like "many" may be more appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. Keep in mind that while "numerous" describes a quantity, it should only be used with countable nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many

A more direct and common synonym.

a lot of

An informal alternative indicating a large quantity.

plentiful

Emphasizes abundance or sufficient quantity.

abundant

Similar to plentiful, highlighting a rich supply.

copious

Suggests a large quantity, often more than enough.

various

Indicates a wide range or diversity.

several

Implies more than a few, but not an overwhelming amount.

multiple

A formal way to indicate more than one.

countless

Suggests so many that they cannot be counted.

innumerable

Similar to countless, implying a vast quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "numerous" in a sentence?

"Numerous" is an adjective that means "many" or "a large number of". For example, "There were numerous opportunities to learn new skills at the workshop".

What's a less formal synonym for "numerous"?

Less formal synonyms for "numerous" include "many", "a lot of", or "several". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to use "numerous" with countable or uncountable nouns?

"Numerous" is typically used with countable nouns. For example, you can say "numerous books" but not "numerous water". For uncountable nouns, you might use alternatives like "a great deal of" or "a large amount of".

What's the difference between "numerous" and "innumerable"?

"Numerous" implies a large but potentially countable quantity, while "innumerable" suggests that the quantity is so large that it's impossible to count. Therefore, "innumerable" implies a higher degree of magnitude.