substantial number of documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial number of documents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant quantity of documents in various contexts, such as legal, academic, or business settings. Example: "The audit revealed a substantial number of documents that needed to be reviewed for compliance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

However, while a substantial number of documents were said to be due for release on Thursday following a review, lawyers for Belhaj and al-Saadi were heavily critical of their format.

The Guardian

But a substantial number of documents were left behind and are now held by Pakistani officials, who are also holding in custody the non-combatants found in the compound, including Bin Laden's three wives and several children.

The Guardian

The collection contains a substantial number of documents from these cases which mention Lincoln by name.

University of Chicago

Claims that Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) covered up evidence of police corruption in a high-profile money-laundering case have been given new weight after the discovery of a substantial number of documents suggesting an officer did take bribes.

BBC

The knowledge broker produced a substantial number of documents during the first year of intervention – in all, 11 reports.

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But the FBI found a substantial number of classified documents on Broadwell's computer and in her home, according to a law enforcement official, and is investigating how she got them.

The Guardian

The C.I.A. has released more than 600 documents thus far, and we plan to release a substantial number of additional C.I.A. documents later this year, including covert-action-related documents, intelligence reports, National Intelligence Estimates and some operational documents.

The New York Times

Preparations of GIT Ep contained a substantial number of Runx3 expressing IELs, as documented in Fig. 2. Cells were immunostained with anti EpCAM (BD Biosciences, USA) in combination with anti-rat IgG Cy5 (Jackson ImmunoResearch) or CD45-APC (BD Biosciences).

EMBO Molecular Medicine

The natural history of breast cancer means that rigorous evaluation of prognostic markers for 'early' disease requires complete follow-up of substantial numbers of fully documented patients over very long periods.

British Journal of Cancer

However, even Willis and Oniki (1972, their table 1) document a substantial number of foraging observations on the ground.

Cornell University

Despite the substantial number of imported malaria cases and the documented presence of suitable anopheline vectors, autochthonous transmission has not been widely observed in Europe, probably as a result of early diagnosis and treatment, afforded by efficient healthcare systems.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial number of documents", ensure the context clarifies the significance of the quantity. Is it substantial relative to expectations, legal requirements, or previous amounts?

Common error

Avoid using "substantial number of documents" when the quantity is not genuinely significant. Inflating the number can undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial number of documents" functions as a noun phrase acting as an object or complement within a sentence. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. It describes a significant quantity of written or printed material.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial number of documents" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for indicating a significant quantity of documents. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this is perfectly valid English and the examples extracted reinforce its usage in various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While it's most frequently found in news and media sources, its use spans across different registers, though it is best to avoid hyperbole by ensuring that the number is genuinely substantial. Consider alternatives like "significant quantity of records" or "considerable volume of paperwork" to refine your expression based on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant quantity of records

Replaces "number" with "quantity" and "documents" with "records", emphasizing the amount and the official nature of the items.

considerable volume of paperwork

Substitutes "substantial" with "considerable" and "documents" with "paperwork", focusing on the bulk of the material.

large accumulation of files

Uses "large accumulation" instead of "substantial number" and "files" instead of "documents", highlighting the collected nature of the items.

extensive collection of documentation

Replaces "substantial number" with "extensive collection" and "documents" with "documentation", indicating a comprehensive set of materials.

appreciable amount of data

Substitutes "substantial number" with "appreciable amount" and "documents" with "data", shifting the focus to the informational content.

notable quantity of official papers

Uses "notable quantity" instead of "substantial number" and specifies "official papers", emphasizing the importance and formality.

marked increase in archived material

Replaces "substantial number" with "marked increase" focusing on change over time and uses "archived material" for documents.

significant body of textual evidence

Replaces "substantial number of documents" with "significant body of textual evidence" changing the focus to the nature and role of evidence.

a wealth of written materials

This alternative uses "wealth" to denote a large amount and focuses on the written nature of the materials.

a plethora of records

This alternative uses "plethora" emphasizing abundance of the records.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The investigation uncovered a "substantial number of documents" that implicated several executives in the scandal" or "A "substantial number of documents" were released to the public following the court order."

What can I say instead of "substantial number of documents"?

You can use alternatives like "significant quantity of records", "considerable volume of paperwork", or "large accumulation of files" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to quantify "substantial number of documents" with a specific figure?

Yes, if possible. While "substantial" implies a significant quantity, providing a specific number (e.g., "more than 500 documents") adds precision and strengthens your statement.

What is the difference between "substantial number of documents" and "a few documents"?

"Substantial number of documents" implies a large and important quantity, while "a few documents" suggests a small, possibly insignificant amount. The choice depends on the actual quantity and its relevance to the situation.