on the number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing quantities, statistics, or counts related to a specific subject. Example: "The decision will be based on the number of participants registered for the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rates depend on the number of guests.

The New York Times - Travel

Pricing would be based on the number of vacant spaces.

The New York Times

"There's a great limitation on the number of patients".

The New York Times - Health

There was no information on the number of Hizbullah casualties.

The Guardian

The work was judged on the number of mistakes made.

The New Yorker

And cut down on the number of dishes you serve.

The Guardian

They do not even agree on the number of killings.

The New York Times

There was no information on the number of possible casualties.

The Guardian

One month on, the number of dead is unknown.

The New Yorker

The upper limit depends on the number of children.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "on the number of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being counted or measured. For example, "The success of the project depends on the number of participants."

Common error

Avoid using "amount" when you should be using "number". "Amount" is for uncountable nouns, while "number" is for countable nouns. Incorrect: "The fee depends on the amount of users." Correct: "The fee depends on the number of users."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the number of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or adjective, indicating a condition, basis, or dependence related to a numerical quantity. Ludwig confirms the validity and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the number of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a relationship based on quantity or count. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news to scientific writing. Be mindful to use "number" with countable nouns and avoid confusing it with "amount". Common alternatives include "depending on the quantity of" and "based on the count of", each offering nuanced variations in meaning. Its high frequency and wide applicability make it a valuable tool for expressing dependence or condition based on numerical values.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depending on the quantity of

This alternative replaces "number" with "quantity", which can be more suitable when referring to uncountable items.

based on the count of

This alternative substitutes "number" with "count", emphasizing the act of counting rather than the numerical value itself.

in relation to the amount of

This phrase uses "amount" instead of "number", which is more fitting when referring to something that is measured rather than counted.

proportional to the quantity of

This option suggests a direct relationship between two quantities, indicating that as one increases, the other increases as well.

contingent on the size of

This alternative emphasizes that something is conditional or reliant on the magnitude or extent of something else.

dependent on the magnitude of

This phrase uses "magnitude" to refer to the size or extent of something, implying a more significant or impactful dependence.

according to the figure of

This alternative is suitable when referring to a specific numerical value or statistic.

as a function of the quantity of

This option is more formal and indicates a mathematical or scientific relationship between variables.

related to the volume of

This alternative replaces number by volume which can be appropriate in contexts of physics or engineering.

concerning the total of

This option is more suitable for an informal context where you refer to the sum of different components.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "on the number of" in a sentence?

Use "on the number of" to indicate a dependency or relationship based on a count. For example, "Pricing is based on the number of vacant spaces."

What are some alternatives to "on the number of" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "depending on the quantity of", "based on the count of", or "in relation to the amount of" depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to use "amount" instead of "number" in phrases like "on the number of"?

No, "amount" should be used with uncountable nouns. Use "number" when referring to countable items. For example, it's correct to say "on the number of users" but incorrect to say "on the amount of users".

What’s the difference between "depending on the quantity of" and "on the number of"?

"Depending on the quantity of" and "on the number of" are similar, but "quantity" is generally used for things that can be measured but not counted, while "number" is used for things that can be counted. However, they are often interchangeable in informal contexts.