sheer number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a very large quantity or amount. For example, "The sheer number of books in the library was overwhelming!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sheer number raises worries about safety.

The Economist

The sheer number of productions is remarkable.

The New York Times

The sheer number is embarrassing — more than eight thousand.

The New Yorker

Despite the sheer number of dancers, individuality mattered most.

The New York Times - Arts

Maybe the sheer number of consumers here will help.

The New York Times

The sheer number of players complicated the musical arrangements.

The New York Times

"It's very difficult with the sheer number of people".

The New York Times

The sheer number of years being played is a factor.

The New York Times

Another problem comes from the sheer number of observational studies.

The New York Times

The sheer number of new funds can also be daunting.

The New York Times

For sheer number per capita: the plot thickens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer number" to emphasize that a quantity is surprisingly large or impactful. It adds a sense of scale and significance to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer number" when a simple, precise number is more appropriate. "Sheer number" is best when you want to convey a sense of magnitude or impressiveness rather than just stating a fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer number" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sheer number" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase used to emphasize a large quantity or amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions to highlight the magnitude of something, often implying it's surprisingly large or impactful. While versatile, it should be used when conveying scale and significance is key, not just stating a numerical fact. It appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To enhance your writing, remember that "sheer number" is best used to add emphasis and create a sense of scale.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelming quantity

Highlights that the quantity is so large it is difficult to manage or comprehend.

absolute quantity

Focuses more on the total amount rather than implying impressiveness or being overwhelming.

massive amount

Emphasizes the large size and scale.

total count

Implies a precise calculation or enumeration.

considerable quantity

Suggests a significant, but not necessarily overwhelming, amount.

aggregate sum

More formal and suggests the result of adding many items together.

substantial volume

Implies a large amount, especially when referring to liquids or space.

a plethora of

Suggests abundance and variety, rather than just a large number.

a multitude of

Similar to 'plethora', emphasizing a great number, often implying diversity.

countless instances

Highlights that there are too many to count.

FAQs

How to use "sheer number" in a sentence?

You can use "sheer number" to emphasize the large quantity or amount of something. For example, "The "sheer number" of applications made the selection process difficult."

What can I say instead of "sheer number"?

You can use alternatives like "absolute quantity", "overwhelming quantity", or "massive amount" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sheer number" or "mere number"?

"Sheer number" emphasizes a large quantity. "Mere number" suggests the quantity is small or insignificant. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "sheer number" and "considerable number"?

"Sheer number" often implies the quantity is surprisingly large or overwhelming. "Considerable number" simply indicates a significant quantity, without necessarily implying surprise or being overwhelming.