the number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to the amount of something, for example: "The number of people attending the event was much higher than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The number of facets varies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The number of societies varied.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The number of judges proliferated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The number of monks grew.

The New York Times - Arts

The number of Palestinians varies.

The New York Times

The number of victims remains unclear.

The New York Times

Rates depend on the number of guests.

The New York Times - Travel

The number of farm animals dropped substantially.

The Economist

The number of whites continued to decline.

The New York Times

"It was the number of dogs".

The New York Times

The number of tours will increase.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the number of", ensure that the verb agrees with the noun it refers to. For example, use 'the number of students is' (singular) rather than 'are' when focusing on the number itself.

Common error

A common mistake is using a plural verb after "the number of" when the subject is singular. Remember, "the number" is the subject, so use a singular verb: "The number of errors is significant", not "are".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the number of" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a particular quantity. It introduces a noun or noun phrase and indicates that the focus is on the numerical value rather than the individual items themselves. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage in its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

16%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the number of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express a specific quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to encyclopedias and wikis. When using "the number of", it's crucial to ensure verb agreement, using a singular verb form (e.g., "is"). Alternatives such as "the quantity of" or "the amount of" can be used depending on the specific context, but it's important to understand the nuance between them. Finally, it's important to note that "the number of" takes a singular verb, which is a common error. By keeping these points in mind, writers can effectively use "the number of" to clearly and accurately convey numerical information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the quantity of

Emphasizes the amount or extent of something, often in a more formal context.

the amount of

Refers to a mass or bulk of something, typically uncountable items.

the total of

Indicates the sum or aggregate of individual items.

the count of

Highlights the act of counting individual items to reach a number.

the tally of

Similar to 'count,' but often implies a more careful or official enumeration.

the sum of

Focuses on the result of addition, the combined value.

a number of

A less specific way to indicate a quantity, often implying 'several' or 'many'.

the volume of

Refers to the capacity or quantity of something, especially liquids or gases.

the frequency of

Indicates how often something occurs within a given period.

the incidence of

Refers to the rate at which something occurs, often used in statistical or medical contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "the number of" in a sentence?

Use "the number of" when you want to specify a quantity. For example: "The number of students attending the lecture was higher than expected." Note that "the number" takes a singular verb.

What's the difference between "the number of" and "a number of"?

"The number of" refers to a specific, countable quantity and takes a singular verb. "A number of" means 'several' or 'many' and takes a plural verb. For example: "The number of participants is limited", but "A number of participants were late".

What can I say instead of "the number of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the quantity of", "the amount of", or "the total of" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "the number of items are"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. Because the subject is "the number", you should use a singular verb: "The number of items is". Remember that "the number" is singular, even if the items being counted are plural.