substantial number

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial number" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to an amount that is larger than usual or expected. For example: "The survey indicated that a substantial number of people had a negative experience with this company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A substantial number were subsequently lost.

The New York Times - Arts

A substantial number are found homes.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're selling a substantial number of articles every day online".

The Guardian

Smoking was blamed for a substantial number, 28.

The New York Times

For a substantial number, no reason is given.

The Guardian

"This is a substantial number," she added, speaking of Wixom.

The New York Times

These schools accept a substantial number of athletes.

The Washington Post

They include a substantial number of European countries.

The Guardian

But a substantial number don't get adequate assistance.

The Washington Post

Overall, the collection is a substantial number of volumes.

Princeton University

serve a substantial number and percentage of underserved students.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial number" when you want to emphasize that the quantity is not just a few, but a considerable and important amount. It suggests that the quantity is significant enough to have an impact or warrant attention.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial number" when you have precise figures available. If the exact quantity is known and relevant, providing that specific number will always be more impactful and informative. Reserve "substantial number" for cases where only an approximate or estimated quantity is available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial number" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (usually countable) to indicate a quantity that is significantly more than a few. Ludwig confirms its correct usage as it is employed in a variety of contexts to denote an amount that warrants attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

27%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial number" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to describe a noteworthy quantity. Ludwig confirms its validity and prevalence across diverse contexts. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Academia. When choosing to use "substantial number", it's best to highlight the impact and importance of the quantity, but avoid using it if you know the exact figure. Alternatives like "considerable amount" or "significant quantity" can be used for variety. Overall, it's a reliable and effective phrase for conveying a significant quantity when precision is not critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable amount

Replaces "number" with "amount", which is suitable for uncountable nouns or in a more general sense of quantity.

significant quantity

Uses "quantity" instead of "number" and "significant" instead of "substantial", emphasizing the importance of the amount.

large proportion

Implies a relative amount in comparison to a whole, using "proportion" instead of a direct quantity.

appreciable quantity

Similar to "substantial", but "appreciable" emphasizes that the quantity is noticeable or measurable.

sizeable fraction

Uses "fraction" to imply a part of a whole and "sizeable" to indicate that it's a significant part.

notable volume

Shifts the focus to "volume", suggesting a large quantity or capacity.

marked degree

Moves away from quantity to focus on the extent or level of something, using "degree" instead of a specific count.

meaningful figure

Highlights the importance or relevance of the numerical value, using "figure" as a more abstract term for number.

respectable sum

Implies a quantity of money or value that is considered significant or worthy of attention.

ample supply

Indicates that there is plenty of something available, emphasizing sufficiency rather than exact quantity.

FAQs

How do I use "substantial number" in a sentence?

Use "substantial number" to indicate a quantity that is notably large or significant. For example, "A "substantial number" of students attended the lecture." It suggests more than just a few, but a significant portion.

What can I say instead of "substantial number"?

You can use alternatives like "considerable amount", "significant quantity", or "large proportion" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "large number" or "substantial number"?

"Substantial number" implies that the quantity is not only large but also important or significant in some way. "Large number" is more general. Use ""substantial number"" when you want to emphasize the impact or importance of the quantity.

When should I avoid using "substantial number"?

Avoid using "substantial number" when you know the exact quantity and providing it would be more informative. Also, avoid using it when the quantity is small or insignificant, as it can be misleading.