overall number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'overall number' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a single, total figure that has been calculated from different or separate components. For example, "The overall number of students who have applied to this university is 20,000."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The overall number is too high.

The New York Times

The overall number of households rose to 3,021,588.

The New York Times

The overall number of summonses has not gone up.

The New York Times

He declined to assess the overall number of insurgent fighters.

The New York Times

The overall number of agency employees will remain the same.

The New York Times

The overall number was much lower than forecasters had expected.

The New York Times

Others argue the overall number may be too low.

The New York Times

The overall number of undergraduates will fall by a tenth.

The Economist

The president led by a hair's breadth in the overall number of votes won so far.

The Guardian

But in terms of the overall number of visitors, the forecasts are mixed.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Bilotti's overall number for the network's primetime profitability that year was $681.5 million.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overall number", ensure that it accurately reflects a comprehensive count. Avoid using it when referring to a subset or estimate.

Common error

Avoid using "overall number" when the count is not truly comprehensive. For example, stating "the overall number of participants is 500, but we expect more" is misleading if you already know more are coming.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overall number" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It refers to a total or aggregate quantity, encompassing all elements under consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overall number" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a total or aggregate quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability. It is commonly found in news reports and scientific publications, serving the purpose of conveying comprehensive amounts. While the register is generally neutral, it is versatile enough for use in various contexts. Alternatives like "total count" or "aggregate quantity" can be used for variety. Remember that "overall number" should only be used when referring to a complete and inclusive count, avoiding misuse with partial data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total count

Replaces "number" with "count", emphasizing the act of enumeration.

combined total

Highlights the combination of different elements into a final sum.

aggregate quantity

Substitutes both "overall" and "number" with more formal terms, suitable for technical contexts.

total sum

Focuses on the additive aspect of the number, implying a calculation of a final amount.

net number

Indicates a final number after deductions or adjustments have been made.

cumulative figure

Emphasizes the accumulated nature of the number over time or across categories.

complete amount

Stresses the completeness of the amount, suggesting that nothing is missing.

entire quantity

Similar to "complete amount" but emphasizes the entirety of the quantity.

grand total

Implies a more significant or final total, often used in financial contexts.

global figure

Presents the "number" at a worldwide level

FAQs

How can I use "overall number" in a sentence?

You can use "overall number" to refer to a total or aggregate count. For example: "The "overall number" of applicants increased this year."

What's the difference between "overall number" and "total number"?

"Overall number" and "total number" are often interchangeable, but "overall number" may imply a combination of different elements or categories into a single count.

What can I say instead of "overall number"?

You can use alternatives like "total count", "aggregate quantity", or "combined total" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "overall total number"?

Yes, "overall total number" is generally considered redundant because "overall" and "total" convey similar meanings. Stick to either "overall number" or "total number".