their numbers

USAGE SUMMARY

"their numbers" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to an unspecified group of people or things. For example, "Their numbers were significantly reduced after the new policy was introduced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

THEIR numbers are small.

The Economist

"Their numbers are declining".

The New York Times

Their numbers keep swelling.

The New York Times

And their numbers will grow.

The Economist

Today their numbers have shrunk.

The New York Times

And their numbers are small.

The New York Times

Their numbers grow each day.

The New York Times - Magazine

But then their numbers crashed.

The New Yorker

And their numbers are growing.

Independent

Today their numbers have halved.

The Economist

Their numbers could help, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "their numbers", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what "their" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, specify "the protesters' numbers" instead of just "their numbers" if the context isn't immediately clear.

Common error

Avoid using "their numbers" when the antecedent pronoun is unclear. If readers can't easily identify who or what "their" refers to, revise the sentence to be more specific, such as "the company's profits" or "the students' scores".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their numbers" functions as a noun phrase indicating a quantity or a count belonging to a specific group. It typically refers to the size, amount, or total of a group or collection. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "their numbers" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the count or quantity of a particular group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news and media, and other contexts. While generally neutral in register, clarity is key; ensure the antecedent of "their" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "the size of their group" or "their total count" for variety. When writing, prevent pronoun ambiguity by explicitly stating the group you're referencing. With its frequent use and straightforward meaning, "their numbers" remains a versatile and reliable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their total count

Directly refers to the sum or aggregate of their members or items.

the size of their group

Focuses on the overall size of the collective, rather than simply a numerical value.

the figure for their population

Specifically refers to the numerical value representing their population.

their numerical strength

Highlights the power or influence derived from their quantity.

the quantity they possess

Highlights the amount or count of something they own or have.

the amount that they totaled

Focuses on the end result of a counting process related to them.

the extent of their presence

Emphasizes the scope or degree to which they are present in a given area or situation.

the sum of their parts

Emphasizes the calculation or overall value considering each individual component they own.

the aggregate of individuals

Highlights on the number of separate individuals.

their accumulated total

Emphasizes the overall amount from gathering separate components.

FAQs

How can I use "their numbers" in a sentence?

Use "their numbers" to refer to the quantity or amount of something belonging to a group. For example, "Their numbers are dwindling due to emigration".

What's a good alternative to "their numbers"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the size of their group", "their total count", or "the extent of their presence".

Is it better to use "its numbers" or "their numbers"?

"Its numbers" is used when referring to a singular entity (like a company or organization), while "their numbers" is used for plural entities (like a group of people). For example, "The company increased its numbers," versus "The employees improved their numbers".

How do I avoid ambiguity when using "their numbers"?

Ensure the context makes it absolutely clear to whom or what "their" refers. If there is any chance of confusion, rephrase to be more specific, such as "the team's numbers" or "the birds' numbers".