significant number of documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant number of documents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large quantity of documents that is noteworthy or important in a particular context. Example: "The audit revealed a significant number of documents that were not properly filed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Despite the latest releases, a significant number of documents about the coup remain secret.

The Guardian

But Ms Coimbra said that it was untrue to suggest a significant number of documents relating to the period had been made public.

The Guardian

The obstruction-of-justice investigation began last fall after Andersen revealed that company executives had shredded a significant number of documents relating to the firm's work for Enron.

The New York Times

Arthur Andersen, Enron's auditor, was convicted of obstructing justice by destroying a "significant" number of documents relating to the Enron case in June 2002.

The Guardian - Business

This finding is echoed by the Documentation Center of Cambodia, which has collected a "significant number of documents" detailing at least 156 cases of rape by Khmer Rouge comrades in cooperatives and detention centers.

Huffington Post

Although a significant number of documents arising from correspondence between BAT's UK companies and its Central American subsidiaries were available through the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library, the study was limited by gaps in the available documents, particularly those of the company's Central American subsidiaries.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A report last December prepared for Benedict's former Archdiocese of Munich and Freising found that significant numbers of documents related to sexual abuse cases had been destroyed, making it "repeatedly impossible to reconstruct events".

The New York Times

Despite these generally promising results, a small but significant number of reports document considerably worse accuracy results for RTE.

Cancer Imaging

In a significant number of cases — 85 percent — documents recording the transfer of a defaulted property to a new trustee were not filed properly or on time, the report found.

The New York Times

Andersen fired Duncan, 43, after it blamed him for a lapse of judgment and for violating policy after Andersen itself declared it destroyed a significant number of Enron -related documents and electronic files in the weeks before it received a subpoena from the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forbes

A significant number of studies have documented the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for efficiency measurement in the context of electricity distribution, particularly at the level of the distribution utilities.

European Journal of Operational Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant number of documents", ensure the context clearly establishes why the number is important. For example, specify the impact this number has on a legal case or research study.

Common error

Avoid using "significant number of documents" when the quantity is not truly noteworthy or impactful. Instead, use a more neutral term like "several documents" or "a few documents" if the number is relatively small.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant number of documents" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a noteworthy quantity of documents. It combines an adjective ("significant") with a noun phrase ("number of documents") to emphasize the importance of the amount. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "significant number of documents" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is used to describe a noteworthy quantity of documents that holds importance within a specific context. While not extremely common, it finds frequent use in news, scientific, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it is advisable to ensure the context clarifies why the quantity is significant. Alternatives like "substantial quantity of documents" or "considerable volume of documents" can be used to express similar meanings. It's important to avoid overstating the significance if the actual number of documents is not truly impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial quantity of documents

Replaces "significant" with "substantial", emphasizing the large amount of documents.

considerable volume of documents

Uses "considerable volume" to highlight the large size or amount of documents.

large quantity of documents

A more direct and simple way to express a large number of documents.

appreciable number of documents

Highlights that the number of documents is noticeable or important.

notable amount of documentation

Shifts focus to the documentation itself and its noteworthy quantity.

extensive collection of documents

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the document collection.

sizable body of documents

Presents the documents as a large, unified collection.

marked number of documents

Indicates that the number of documents is clearly visible or evident.

prominent accumulation of documents

Highlights the build-up of a large number of documents.

meaningful set of documents

Suggests that the documents hold significance or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "significant number of documents" in a sentence?

You can use "significant number of documents" to describe a large quantity of documents that is noteworthy or important. For example: "The investigation revealed a significant number of documents that were not properly filed."

What are some alternatives to "significant number of documents"?

Alternatives include "substantial quantity of documents", "considerable volume of documents", or "large quantity of documents".

Is it better to say "significant number of documents" or "large amount of documents"?

Both "significant number of documents" and "large amount of documents" are correct, but "significant number of documents" often implies that the quantity is important or impactful in some way, whereas "large amount of documents" simply refers to the quantity.

What does it mean when someone says there is a "significant number of documents"?

It implies that the quantity of documents is large enough to be considered important or noteworthy in a particular context. The significance is derived from the size, relevance, or impact of the documentation.