one million

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one million" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the numerical value of 1,000,000, often in contexts involving quantities, statistics, or financial figures. Example: "The charity event raised one million dollars for local families in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

One million.

The New York Times

O'Neal: "One million?

The New Yorker

One million dollars.

The New York Times

One million exhibitors.

The New York Times - Tech

One million, maybe two.

The Guardian - Opinion

Photo: One Million Community Health Workers Campaign.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

One million million?

The Washington Post

Fifty-one million.

The Guardian

Forty-one million dollars.

Huffington Post

"One million per year.

The New Yorker

One million Britons died.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, it's better to spell out "one million" rather than using the numeral "1,000,000" at the beginning of a sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "millions" when you need to specify the exact quantity of 1,000,000. Use "one million" to maintain precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one million" primarily functions as a numeral adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a specific quantity. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one million" is a grammatically correct and frequently used numeral phrase that specifies the quantity of 1,000,000. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. While interchangeable with "a million" in many cases, "one million" provides a precise quantification. It's crucial to follow it with a relevant noun, such as currency when discussing financial matters. As demonstrated by the examples, this phrase effectively conveys large quantities across diverse topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

1000000

Represents the same quantity using numerical digits.

a million

A shorter, less formal way to say "one million".

one millionth

Refers to the ordinal form, denoting position in a sequence.

millions

Indicates an unspecified large number greater than one million.

close to a million

Expresses an approximate quantity nearing one million.

nearly a million

Similar to "close to a million", indicating proximity to the quantity.

almost one million

Conveys that the quantity is slightly less than one million.

in the millions

Specifies that the quantity falls within the range of millions.

a thousand thousand

An alternative way to express one million, using different units.

one million and one

Represents a number slightly higher than one million.

FAQs

How should I write "one million" in formal writing?

In formal writing, it is generally preferred to spell out numbers like "one million" rather than using numerals (1,000,000), especially at the beginning of a sentence. However, in scientific or technical contexts, using numerals may be more appropriate for brevity.

What's the difference between "one million" and "millions"?

"One million" refers to the specific number 1,000,000. "Millions" refers to an unspecified quantity of more than "one million". For example, "The project cost one million dollars" specifies the exact cost, while "The project cost millions of dollars" indicates a large but unspecified amount.

Are "one million" and "a million" interchangeable?

Yes, "one million" and "a million" are largely interchangeable, especially in general usage. "One million" may be used for emphasis or when precision is important.

What are some other ways to express "one million" in writing?

Besides "one million" and "a million", you could use "1,000,000" in numerical form. In some contexts, you might also use "a thousand thousand" to express the same quantity, although this is less common.