sufficient number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"sufficient number of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an amount of things that is enough to meet a particular requirement. For example, "The school requires a sufficient number of student volunteers in order to run the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before long, I had amassed a sufficient number of circles.

The New Yorker

Convergence is ensured by taking a sufficient number of approximations.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The average of a sufficient number of guesses will get the number of jellybeans right.

The Guardian - Books

Anything that a sufficient number of people in green eyeshades declare, I'll endorse.

The New Yorker

When she answered a sufficient number of problems correctly, she advanced to the next section.

The New Yorker

(what 19th-century Italian opera doesn't?) Both leave behind a sufficient number of dead bodies.

The New York Times - Arts

In a general way, there were a sufficient number of personal links between Beckett and Ernst.

The Guardian

A sufficient number of endemic and forest-dependent species were observed to conduct individual-based rarefaction.

Nature

This time they – or, rather, a sufficient number of them – had changed their minds.

The Guardian - Business

The State agency should supply employers with a sufficient number of leaflets.

Cornell University

So we had livestock mortality data since 2000, every month, a sufficient number of households.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sufficient number of", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes 'sufficient' for the given situation. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "sufficient number of" when a more precise quantity is known or can be easily determined. Overusing vague language can weaken your argument or description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficient number of" functions as a determiner phrase specifying the quantity of a noun. It indicates that the amount is adequate for a particular purpose or requirement. Ludwig examples show its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

25%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Science & Research

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sufficient number of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate an adequate quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When writing, ensure that the context clearly defines what 'sufficient' means to avoid ambiguity. While alternative phrases like "adequate quantity of" or "enough amount of" exist, "sufficient number of" maintains a formal tone suitable for diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate quantity of

Replaces 'number' with 'quantity' focusing on the amount instead of count.

enough amount of

Uses 'enough' as a direct synonym for 'sufficient', simplifying the phrase.

ample supply of

Substitutes 'number' with 'supply', emphasizing availability.

adequate volume of

Replaces 'number' with 'volume', suitable for measurable substances.

requisite amount of

Replaces 'sufficient' with 'requisite', indicating a necessary quantity.

necessary quantity of

Focuses on the necessity of the quantity, rather than just sufficiency.

satisfactory amount of

Replaces 'sufficient' with 'satisfactory', implying the amount is good enough.

appreciable quantity of

Indicates a noticeable or significant amount, subtly changing the nuance.

sizeable amount of

Replaces 'sufficient' with 'sizeable', emphasizing the magnitude of the quantity.

a good deal of

Replaces the formal 'sufficient number of' with a more informal expression.

FAQs

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

Use "sufficient number of" to indicate that there is an adequate quantity to meet a specific need or requirement. For example, "We need a sufficient number of volunteers to run the event successfully."

What are some alternatives to "sufficient number of"?

You can use alternatives like "adequate quantity of", "enough amount of", or "ample supply of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "sufficient number of" or a precise quantity?

If the exact quantity is known and relevant, use it for clarity. Use "sufficient number of" when the precise quantity is unknown, variable, or less important than the adequacy of the amount.

What does "sufficient number of" imply about the context?

It implies that there's a requirement or need, and the quantity being discussed meets that requirement. The implication is that having less would be inadequate.