total number of students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total number of students" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the complete count of students in a specific context, such as a school, class, or program. Example: "The total number of students enrolled in the course this semester is 150."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

NUMBER TESTED -- Total number of students who took each test.

The New York Times

CLASS SIZE The total number of students upon which the data are based.

The New York Times

No. tested is the total number of students upon which the data are based.

The New York Times

tested" is the total number of students included in calculating the data.

The New York Times

The total number of students in classes dating to 1982 was much higher.

The New York Times

That brings the total number of students who will be held back in grades three through eight to 20,408.

The New York Times

The total number of students at the university this semester has reached 197,089, up from 190,335 last year.

The New York Times

They also called for measuring educational progress by considering the individual records of students, not just the total number of students meeting proficiency standards.

The New York Times

ELISSA GOOTMAN Here is a key to the headings in the tables: CLASS SIZE -- The total number of students upon which the data are based.

The New York Times

Here's a passage that caught Ms. Rampell's eye: Over the past 25 years the total number of students in college has increased by about 50 percent.

The New York Times

Although the total number of students in charter schools is just 5 percent of all public school children, it has had a striking effect in some cities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting the "total number of students", specify the context (e.g., "in the district", "in the program") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "total number of students" without specifying the group or institution you are referring to. Always provide context to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total number of students" functions as a noun phrase. It generally acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It is used to quantify the count of students within a defined group, like at a school or in a study. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "total number of students" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the complete count of students in a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. As seen in numerous examples, the phrase appears frequently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the context when using this phrase. While alternatives exist, "total number of students" remains a direct and widely understood way to express student quantity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

number of enrolled students

Reorders the phrase and emphasizes enrollment.

student headcount

Uses a more concise term for counting students.

student enrollment count

Replaces "total number" with "count" and focuses on enrollment.

student population size

Focuses on the "size" of the student population.

aggregate student population

Uses more formal terms like "aggregate" and "population" instead of "total number" and "students".

entire student body

Replaces the numerical aspect with a collective noun for students.

total student registrations

Focuses on the act of registration rather than the students themselves.

full student roster

Emphasizes the listing or record of all students.

complete student manifest

Manifest suggests a formal listing of students.

overall student attendance

Shifts focus to attendance, implying the total number.

FAQs

How can I use "total number of students" in a sentence?

You can use "total number of students" to describe the enrollment in a school, program, or study. For example, "The total number of students enrolled in the university is over 20,000."

What is another way to say "total number of students"?

Alternatives include "student enrollment count", "aggregate student population", or "student headcount".

Is it better to say "number of students" or "total number of students"?

Both are correct, but "total number of students" emphasizes the completeness of the count. "Number of students" is generally shorter and more common in everyday use.

What is the difference between "total number of students" and "student population"?

"Total number of students" is a precise count, while "student population" refers to the entire group of students, sometimes used more broadly to discuss demographics or characteristics.