substantial number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'substantial number of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used when you are referring to an amount which is large but not exact. For example: A substantial number of people attended the conference.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

These schools accept a substantial number of athletes.

The Washington Post

They include a substantial number of European countries.

The Guardian

Overall, the collection is a substantial number of volumes.

Princeton University

A substantial number of fatalities occurred in businesses.

The New York Times

Still, a substantial number of Americans are not convinced.

The New York Times

There are a substantial number of unnecessary urine culture requests.

Clinical Biochemistry

Immigration lawyers say they believe that a substantial number of these men avoid deportation.

The New York Times

Building this housing can also create a substantial number of decent-paying jobs.

The New York Times

"A substantial number of people were saying, 'Where is God in this?' " SUSAN STELLIN.

The New York Times

A substantial number of those were among the unvaccinated Amish communities in Ohio.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial number of" when you want to indicate a quantity that is large enough to be noteworthy or significant, but without needing to specify an exact figure. It's suitable for situations where precision isn't required, but the amount is still important.

Common error

Avoid using vague quantifiers like "substantial number of" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using more specific figures when possible or alternative phrases such as "significant quantity of" or "considerable amount of" to add nuance and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial number of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a quantity that is noteworthy. It suggests that the amount being referred to is more than just a few, but not necessarily a specific or large quantity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial number of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a quantity that is significant and noteworthy without being precise. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, and its common usage across various fields, particularly in news, science, and academic contexts, indicates its broad applicability. When writing, consider using more precise language when available, and avoid overusing this phrase to maintain clarity and add nuance to your writing. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is a safe choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant quantity of

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the quantity.

considerable amount of

Highlights the largeness or importance of the amount.

large proportion of

Focuses on the part of a whole that the quantity represents.

appreciable quantity of

Implies a noticeable or measurable amount.

notable volume of

Stresses the size or extent of something in terms of its volume.

a good deal of

Offers a more informal way to indicate a large quantity.

a fair amount of

Indicates a reasonable or acceptable quantity.

a large segment of

Refers to a significant portion of a group or population.

an important segment of

Highlights a significant portion of something.

a respectable number of

Indicates a quantity that is worthy of respect or attention.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial number of" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial number of" to describe a quantity that is large and important, for example, "A "substantial number of" students attended the lecture."

What are some alternatives to "substantial number of"?

Alternatives include "significant quantity of", "considerable amount of", or "large proportion of depending on the context".

When is it appropriate to use "substantial number of" versus a more precise quantity?

Use "substantial number of" when the exact quantity is unknown, unimportant, or difficult to determine, but the amount is still significant. If the precise quantity is known and relevant, use that instead.

What's the difference between "substantial number of" and "significant number of"?

While similar, "substantial number of" emphasizes the amount itself, while "significant number of" highlights the importance or impact of that amount. They are often interchangeable but choose the one that best fits the context. You can also use "considerable amount of" as a viable alternative.