provide the number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provide the number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to give you a specific numerical value or quantity. Example: "Please provide the number of participants attending the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He would not provide the number.

The New York Times

Any eye doctor or optician can provide the number.

The New York Times - Tech

State officials could not provide the number of violations identified by inspectors.

The New York Times

The officer asked for his sister's phone number, but he refused to provide the number.

The Guardian - Sport

(The report did not provide the number of high schools with such absentee rates).

The New York Times

An enlightened labeling system might provide the number of notes or words per dollar for every concert, CD, book, newspaper, movie, magazine and so on.

The New York Times

If you look at the services those enterprises provide, the number of people they employ and the capital they require, it's clear why".

The New York Times

Flooring and furniture planned under the Martha Stewart Signature line are being introduced in about 500 stores, fewer than the company was counting on, although Mr. Follo would not provide the number.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush promised last summer to provide the number to Mr. Putin and to link those reductions to how America would then build a missile defense shield over the United States, and perhaps over parts of Europe and Asia, too.

The New York Times

An official of the Nepalese embassy in Washington, Harishchandra Ghimire, said he could not provide the number of permits that had already been issued to climb Mount Everest this year.

The New York Times - Sports

But challenged by committee chairman Dave Camp, a Republican from Michigan, to provide the number of people who had been able enroll for health insurance, Tavenner said the government did not have the figures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting data, be specific about the type of number you need (e.g. "provide the number of registered users", not just "provide the number").

Common error

Avoid using "provide the number" without specifying what the number refers to. This can lead to confusion and require further clarification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide the number" functions primarily as a request or instruction. It typically serves to elicit a specific numerical value or quantity from a person or source. Ludwig shows that this phrase is often used when data or information is being sought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provide the number" is a common and grammatically correct way to request a specific numerical value or quantity. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While the phrase itself is straightforward, clarity is crucial when using it. Always specify what the number refers to in order to avoid confusion. Alternatives such as "give the figure" or "supply the count" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig AI underlines the versatility and broad applicability of this phrase in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give the figure

Replaces "number" with "figure", implying a specific numerical value.

supply the count

Substitutes "provide" with "supply" and "number" with "count", both suggesting a total quantity.

offer the total

Uses "offer" instead of "provide" and "total" in place of "number", focusing on the complete sum.

disclose the amount

Replaces "provide" with "disclose" and "number" with "amount", suggesting revelation of a specific quantity.

reveal the quantity

Uses "reveal" instead of "provide" and "quantity" instead of "number", emphasizing the act of making a specific amount known.

state the numerical value

More formal and specific, replacing "number" with "numerical value".

furnish the statistic

Replaces "provide" with "furnish" and "number" with "statistic", indicating a piece of data.

release the tally

Uses "release" instead of "provide" and "tally" instead of "number", implying an official count being made available.

share the digit

Substitutes "provide" with "share" and "number" with "digit", referring to a single numerical character.

communicate the measure

A more formal alternative that emphasizes the act of conveying a numerical measurement.

FAQs

How can I use "provide the number" in a sentence?

You can use "provide the number" when requesting a specific numerical value or quantity. For instance, "Please provide the number of participants attending the event".

What can I say instead of "provide the number"?

You can use alternatives like "give the figure", "supply the count", or "disclose the amount" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "provided the number" instead of "provide the number"?

"Provided the number" is the past tense or past participle of "provide the number". Use "provided" when referring to an action that has already occurred.

What's the difference between "provide the number" and "extend the number"?

"Provide the number" means to offer or give a specific numerical value. "Extend the number", on the other hand, suggests increasing or prolonging a number, which carries a different meaning altogether.