the figures are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the figures are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a set of figures or statistics that you are presenting. For example, "The figures are staggering: over 10 million people lost their jobs in the past year due to the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The figures are stark.

The New York Times

The figures are grim.

The Economist

The figures are enlightening.

The New York Times

The figures are overwhelming.

The New York Times

The figures are astounding.

The New York Times

The figures are correct.

The Guardian

"The figures are opaque.

The New York Times

The figures are impressive.

Independent

THE figures are worrying.

The Economist

For the figures are in.

The Guardian - Film

The figures are eye-watering.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "the figures are" with an adjective that conveys your assessment of the numbers, such as "the figures are alarming" or "the figures are encouraging", to immediately frame the data for your audience.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because "the figures are" increasing or decreasing, there is a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Always consider other potential influencing factors and avoid oversimplification. Correlation does not equal causation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the figures are" functions as an introductory phrase, typically used to present numerical data or statistics. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English, setting the stage for quantitative information to follow.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the figures are" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase used to introduce numerical data or statistics. According to Ludwig, it is widely accepted in written English. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, as well as in formal business contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the figures are well-defined and that their context is readily understandable to your audience. The phrase offers a neutral register, suitable for various communicative purposes. While effective, consider alternatives like "the data indicates" or "the statistics show" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the statistics show

Substitutes "figures" with "statistics", emphasizing the quantitative aspect of the information.

the data indicates

Replaces "figures" with "data" focusing on a more general information set instead of specific numbers.

the numbers reveal

Uses "numbers" instead of "figures", highlighting the raw numerical values and their unveiling nature.

according to the data

Adds a source attribution upfront, useful when citing a specific dataset.

the results suggest

Shifts focus to the implications or outcomes derived from the figures.

it is evident from the numbers

Emphasizes the clarity and obviousness of the information conveyed by the numbers.

the analysis indicates

Highlights that an analytical process has been applied to the numbers.

the metrics demonstrate

Uses "metrics" to indicate specific measures, often used in business or scientific contexts.

the findings suggest

Focuses on the conclusions drawn based on an investigation.

the evidence points to

Implies that the figures serve as proof or support for a particular claim.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "the figures are" in a sentence?

Use "the figures are" to introduce specific data or statistics. For instance, "The figures are quite revealing, showing a significant increase in sales this quarter."

What are some alternatives to using "the figures are"?

You can use alternatives like "the data indicates", "the statistics show", or "according to the data" to introduce numerical information.

Is it ever incorrect to use "the figures are"?

While grammatically correct, avoid using "the figures are" if the data you're presenting is vague or unsubstantiated. Ensure you have credible sources for your figures.

What's the difference between saying "the figures are" and "the figures show"?

While both phrases are similar, "the figures are" simply presents the data, whereas "the figures show" implies that the data reveals a particular trend or outcome. The phrase "the figures show" suggests a level of interpretation.