thousand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thousand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a numerical value, typically in the context of counting or quantifying something. Example: "The population of the city has reached over a thousand residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Books

Lifestyle

Sport

Film

Tech

Money

Travel

Culture

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

A few thousand fans were gathered around to watch him sink a two-foot putt for a final par.

The Guardian - Sport

And then there were the prospective 2016 Republican presidential candidates: Sens. Marco Rubio, Rand Paul and Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Ryan all voted No – a thousand times no.

The Guardian

If Melwyn Lucas of the hardline Traditional Unionist Voice takes several thousand votes in South Antrim (from ultra-loyalist disgruntled ex-DUP voters) then McCrea may lose the seat to Empey.

The Guardian

That has implications enough for the church in the inner city, but what are the ramifications in the countryside where, for a thousand years, the Church of England has often been the institution that holds rural communities together?

The Guardian

But those few extra thousand votes could keep the Greens ahead of the BNP – and that is the scenario with the best chance of keeping Griffin out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rights groups say the government that replaced him has been anything but democratic – with more than a thousand dissidents killed, thousands more arrested, and the right to free assembly and free speech severely curbed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Yet nearly all advertising for sanitary products encourages us to hide this chunk of our lives – three thousand days for most women – by preventing leaks that might embarrass us and everyone else; by ensuring we don't, God forbid, smell of menstrual blood; by putting menstruation behind locked doors and safely enclosed in euphemism.

The Guardian - Opinion

"As a thousand-year-old European nation we have one demand.

The Guardian

Fine for the odd visit, but an experience you can get at out-of-town "shopping centre" festivals such as Reading or Leeds without having to lug all your stuff three thousand miles from the car.

The Guardian - Opinion

Seventy thousand devotees go crazy, and shower him with the kind of ear-splitting applause that is usually reserved for film stars, rock stars and royalty.

The Guardian - Film

But basically it comes down to either gritting your teeth while a dotage-addled Hugh Hefner tails off in the middle of an anecdote about silicone, or gritting your teeth while Tom Cruise explains how very few hundred thousand dollars it would cost you to learn that we're all surrounded by alien spirits exiled to this planet by the galactic tyrant Xenu.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about precise quantities, use "thousand" in conjunction with specific numbers (e.g., "three thousand") for clarity and accuracy. Be consistent in using numerals or spelling out numbers within the same context.

Common error

Avoid using "thousand" loosely to mean "a lot" without any numerical basis. Overusing it in this way dilutes its meaning and can mislead readers. If you mean a vague large quantity, consider using "many" or "numerous" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "thousand" is as a numeral, specifying a quantity. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to denote a numerical value equal to 1,000. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying nouns (e.g., "thousand fans", "thousand votes").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Opinion

15%

Books

8%

Less common in

Lifestyle

8%

Sport

5%

Film

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "thousand" functions as a numeral used to express the quantity of 1,000. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. With a "Very common" frequency and high source quality, "thousand" appears frequently in "News & Media", "Opinion", and "Books". As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it's essential to use "thousand" accurately to denote a numerical value, avoiding vague or exaggerated use. For alternatives, consider "one thousand" or "thousands", depending on the desired level of precision and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one thousand

Represents the same numerical value using words instead of numerals.

a thousand

Uses an article to emphasize the quantity.

thousands

Indicates a large number, more than one thousand, without specifying the exact amount.

one thousand units

Specifies the units being counted, adding precision.

a quantity of one thousand

Formal way to express the amount, suitable for technical or legal contexts.

in the thousands

Suggests a number within the range of thousands.

approximately one thousand

Indicates an estimated value close to one thousand.

one k

A shortened form, common in informal or technical contexts.

one grand

Informal slang term for one thousand, primarily referring to money.

a multiple of one hundred tens

Uses an unusual construction but has same semantical context.

FAQs

How do I use "thousand" correctly in a sentence?

Use "thousand" with a specific number (e.g., "five thousand") to indicate a quantity of 1,000 multiplied by that number. You can also use "a thousand" to refer to one thousand. For example, "The event attracted a thousand people".

What are some alternatives to saying "thousand"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "one thousand" (more formal), "thousands" (for an unspecified large number), or "one grand" (informal, usually referring to money).

Is it better to write "1000" or "one thousand"/"a thousand"?

It depends on the context. Use numerals (1000) in technical or scientific writing where precision is important. In general writing, spell out numbers from one to one hundred, and use numerals for larger numbers like "1000". However, consistency within the same document is key.

What's the difference between "thousands" and "a thousand"?

"A thousand" refers specifically to the number 1,000. "Thousands" refers to an unspecified quantity of more than one thousand, implying a large number but not a precise count. For example, "a thousand reasons" means exactly 1,000 reasons, while "thousands of reasons" means a large, unspecified number of reasons.