the number of items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the number of items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific count or quantity of items in a given context. Example: "The number of items in the inventory has increased significantly this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do you negotiate the number of items you can take?

The Guardian

Returns the number of items in the chooser.

Stanford University

The number of items was reduced to 38 items.

Patient Education and Counseling

But the number of items sold to each customer fell.

The Economist

This minimizes the number of items it has to sell at a discount.

The New York Times - Tech

Hunter has reduced the number of items tracked from 1,200 activities to 200 department processes.

Harvard Business Review

Should it be on the basis of the number of items delivered?

The Washington Post

In that time, the number of items in those three categories rose 226percentt.

The New York Times

Based on these results, the number of items was reduced to 23.

Pain Management Nursing

The number of items sold in the fourth quarter fell 0.4%, failing to meet analysts' expectations of a slight rise.

The Guardian - Business

Walmart.com has sharply scaled back the number of items that it stocks, from 25,000 to 4,000.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a specific count, ensure clarity by specifying what "items" refers to. For instance, clarify "the number of items sold" or "the number of items in stock."

Common error

Avoid using "the number of item" when referring to multiple items; always use the plural form: "the number of items". The word "number" refers to quantity, and must be followed by a plural noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the number of items" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As evidenced by Ludwig, it denotes a specific quantity or count of identifiable objects or units.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the number of items" is a grammatically sound and versatile noun phrase used to denote the quantity of objects. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely applicable, appearing in diverse contexts ranging from news reports and scientific articles to academic papers and general communication. While alternatives like "the quantity of items" or "item count" exist, the original phrase remains a clear and widely understood choice. Remember to use the plural form ("items") and specify the reference when possible for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the quantity of items

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing amount.

the count of items

Substitutes "number" with "count", focusing on enumeration.

the amount of items

Changes "number" to "amount", suitable for uncountable items, but usable in a similar context.

the total of items

Uses "total" instead of "number", highlighting the sum.

the quantity of articles

Replaces "items" with "articles", changing the subject within the context of enumeration.

the item count

Condenses the phrase using "item count" instead of "the number of items."

the number of units

Replaces "items" with "units", specifying a measurement context.

the item total

Uses "item total" which is more concise than "the number of items."

the tally of items

Substitutes "number" with "tally", indicating a record of items.

the inventory size

Focuses on the overall scope of an inventory, rather than a specific count.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "the quantity of items", "the count of items", or "the amount of items" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the number of item" instead of "the number of items"?

No, it is incorrect. "The number of" always requires a plural noun. The correct phrase is "the number of items".

How does "the number of items" differ from "the amount of items"?

"The number of items" is used when you can count the individual items. "The amount of items" is more appropriate when dealing with a mass noun or undifferentiated quantity that might be measured rather than counted.

What is a more concise way to express "the number of items"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "item count" or "item total" for brevity. However, ensure the shorter phrase maintains clarity.