serious number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant or substantial quantity, often in contexts where the magnitude of the number is noteworthy or impactful. Example: "The project received a serious number of applications, far exceeding our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

I would be shocked to see any serious number of pharmacies not participating".

The New York Times

Gone, or at least reduced in serious number, were the heavy store suits in double-faced fabrics.

The New York Times

"If that's correct, it's a serious number, and she must have had a serious claim," Ms. Allred said.

The New York Times

Recreational mathematics may sound like a contradiction in terms, but this three-day conference promises some serious number play.

The New York Times - Science

Dang's blissed-out grin, one that most people could achieve only through a serious number of sedatives, is testament to the prevailing Zen attitude.

The New York Times - Style

Instead of focusing on whitewashing Turkey's behaviour, and indeed stimulating it, Europe should focus on its own responsibility and start resettling a serious number of refugees from Turkey".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"The Way We'll Be" is more a paean to these evolving attitudes than a serious, number-crunching examination of how Zogby polling is done.

The New York Times - Books

Your amateur stargazer need not get into the serious numbers.

The Guardian

The more serious numbers come from "the sheets".

The New York Times - Magazine

Special forces will no doubt be back in serious numbers before long.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said the company would have to "put up some serious numbers soon" to justify the price.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious number", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the number significant. For instance, specify the unit or the implication of the quantity to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "serious number" when a more precise term is available. If you can specify the exact quantity or use a more descriptive adjective, it will improve the clarity and impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious number" functions as a quantifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies (typically representing a count or amount) is of significant size or importance. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious number" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a quantity that is significant or noteworthy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It's frequently found in news, science, and formal business contexts, used to emphasize the importance or magnitude of an amount. While the phrase is widely accepted, more specific alternatives may be preferred in formal settings to enhance clarity. To ensure the context is clear, always specify the units or implications of the quantity. The phrase serves to highlight a notable amount that warrants attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant quantity

Replaces "serious" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the amount.

substantial amount

Uses "substantial" to highlight the considerable size of the number.

considerable quantity

Emphasizes the largeness of the amount using "considerable".

noteworthy figure

Replaces "number" with "figure" and "serious" with "noteworthy", stressing the importance of the number.

remarkable extent

Shifts the focus to the degree or scope, using "remarkable" to indicate importance.

appreciable volume

Highlights the amount using "appreciable" to show it is significant.

significant proportion

Focuses on the ratio or share, using "significant" to denote its importance.

large volume

Emphasizes the size by using "large" instead of "serious".

meaningful total

Replaces "serious" with "meaningful" to indicate the total has significance.

substantial count

Uses "substantial" to emphasize the considerable size of the number.

FAQs

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

You can use "serious number" to describe a quantity that is significant or noteworthy. For example, "The company faced a "serious number" of customer complaints this quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "serious number"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "significant quantity", "substantial amount", or "considerable quantity".

Is it always appropriate to use "serious number" in formal writing?

While "serious number" is generally acceptable, consider whether a more precise or descriptive phrase would be more effective in formal contexts. Terms like "significant figure" or "substantial proportion" might be more suitable.

What does it mean when someone says a situation involves a "serious number"?

It implies that the quantity, amount, or figure in question is substantial and has important implications. The situation is likely significant due to the sheer magnitude of the "number".