one or more

USAGE SUMMARY

"one or more" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the action being discussed can involve one or more items or people. For example, "You can purchase one or more tickets for the show."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's right, "one or more".

The New York Times - Arts

One or more companies will get public.

The New York Times

One package contains one or more parts.

Complete PCB Design Using OrCAD Capture and PCB Editor

Prioritize conversations with one or more people.

Stanford University

E generates one or more b's.

Stanford University

Sponsor one or more of our pages.

Cornell University

* One or more references with contact information.

Yale University

2. One or more rounds of bidding.

Harvard University

Join one (or more!) and stay connected!

Columbia University

Others must add one or more medications.

Harvard University

It's about one or more other beings.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one or more" to clearly indicate that a minimum of one item or entity is required or expected, while allowing for the possibility of multiple.

Common error

Avoid using "one or more" when 'some' or 'several' would be more concise and appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one or more" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a quantity of items, indicating a minimum of one with the possibility of more. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

30%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one or more" is a versatile phrase used to denote a quantity that can be either singular or plural. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse writing styles, from scientific publications to news articles. Its primary function is to quantify subjects with precision, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When a less exact quantification is acceptable, synonyms such as "some" or "several" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at least one

Focuses on the minimum quantity, implying the possibility of more.

a minimum of one

Emphasizes the lower limit of the quantity.

one or several

Specifies a limited number beyond one.

one or a few

Indicates a small quantity, slightly less formal.

one or some

A more general way to indicate the possibility of more than one.

single or multiple

Highlights the contrast between singular and plural.

a single or several

Combines singular with a more specific plural.

one upwards

Implies a starting point of one and potentially more.

one and possibly more

Explicitly states the possibility of exceeding one.

one, if not more

Expresses uncertainty while still allowing for multiple.

FAQs

How can I use "one or more" in a sentence?

You can use "one or more" to indicate a quantity greater than or equal to one. For example, "You need "one or more" references for your application."

What's a less formal alternative to "one or more"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "some", "several", or "at least one". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "one or more" or "at least one"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "at least one" emphasizes the minimum requirement, while "one or more" simply indicates that the quantity is not less than one.

When is it appropriate to use "one or more" instead of "multiple"?

"Multiple" implies more than one, whereas "one or more" includes the possibility of just one. Use "one or more" when the single case is relevant.