tens of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tens of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a large but unspecified number, usually in the range of 20 to 90. Example: "The event attracted tens of participants, making it a great success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

tens of degrees).

Columbia University

TENS of thousands protested in Zaragoza recently.

The Economist

"Tens of millions.

Independent

Tens of thousands?

The Guardian - Sport

"Maybe tens of millions.

The New Yorker

"Perhaps tens of thousands".

The New York Times - Arts

Maybe tens of thousands.

The New York Times

"They" number tens of thousands.

The New Yorker

A few tens of millions?

The Economist

Today, tens of millions can.

The New Yorker

Tens of millions of dollars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tens of" to indicate a quantity roughly between 20 and 90, when an exact number isn't known or necessary. This provides a sense of scale without requiring precision.

Common error

Avoid using "tens of" when you have evidence suggesting the actual number is significantly higher (hundreds or thousands), as this can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tens of" functions as a quantifier, specifying an approximate number in the range of 20 to 99. Ludwig AI confirms this is generally deemed correct. It modifies a plural noun, indicating an indefinite quantity. For instance, "Tens of thousands protested."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tens of" is a versatile quantifier used to indicate an approximate quantity between 20 and 99. According to Ludwig AI it is grammatically correct and very common. It functions to convey an approximate scale. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general conversation. While alternatives exist, such as "dozens of" or "scores of", "tens of" offers a balance of precision and generality. Remember to use it when an exact number is not known or necessary but bear in mind that context should be always considered to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scores of

This phrase implies a quantity of twenty or more, offering a numerical suggestion absent in "tens of".

numerous

This alternative suggests a large, unspecified number, similar to "tens of" but slightly more formal.

dozens of

This alternative refers to a smaller quantity, approximately twelve, compared to "tens of".

a great number of

This phrase conveys a similar meaning but is more formal and less concise than "tens of".

a multitude of

This alternative emphasizes the large number of items or entities, potentially suggesting a chaotic or overwhelming quantity.

many

This is a general term indicating a large quantity, less specific than "tens of".

several dozen

Suggests a more precise, though still approximate, amount, indicating several groups of twelve.

a significant quantity of

This alternative emphasizes the importance or impact of the number, beyond its mere size.

hundreds of

This alternative refers to a larger quantity, specifically in the range of 100 to 999, compared to "tens of".

a large amount of

This expression describes an unquantified number or things and may not be suitable if precise or rough indication is the focus.

FAQs

How do I use "tens of" in a sentence?

"Tens of" is used before a plural noun to indicate an approximate quantity. For example, "Tens of thousands protested in the city center".

What can I say instead of "tens of"?

You can use alternatives like "dozens of", "scores of", or "numerous" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "tens of people" or "ten of people"?

"Tens of people" is the correct phrase. "Ten of people" is grammatically incorrect. "Tens" is plural, indicating multiple sets of ten.

What's the difference between "tens of" and "hundreds of"?

"Tens of" indicates a quantity roughly between 20 and 99, while "hundreds of" refers to a quantity between 100 and 999. They represent different orders of magnitude.