what number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the quantity or count of something specific. Example: "What number of participants are expected at the event?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"What number of Newton's laws is that one, Scotty?

The New York Times - Sports

It sounds nice, but what number of American troops would be required to carry it out?

The New York Times

"What number of Bugatti Veyron owners drive the road at 300 kilometers per hour?" he asked, referring to the luxury car that can reach 186 miles per hour.

The New York Times

With aviation an outlaw, it's impossible to say exactly what number of flights would be compatible with the UK's pledge to cut 80% of the greenhouse gases driving global warming by 2050.

The Guardian

Ms. Tellado emphasized that the package was voluntary and said no decision had been made about what number of positions was necessary to achieve the additional $14 million in savings.

The New York Times

"At what number of years would the Eighth Amendment become implicated in the sentencing of a juvenile: 20, 30, 40, 50, some lesser or greater number?" Judge Jacqueline R. Griffin wrote for the court.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Leopards (Panthera pardus) are endangered in South East Asia yet little is known about which resources need to be secured for their long-term conservation or what numbers of this species this region can support.

Biological Conservation

(Ex. Black-Joe) Ask them what number they thought of.

WikiHow

Example: "15 is 25% of what number?".

WikiHow

defer.add img); Example: "125% of what number is 80?".

WikiHow

defer.add img); Example: "6 is 7.5% of what number?".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what number of", ensure that the noun you are referring to is countable. For uncountable nouns, use "what amount of" or "how much".

Common error

Avoid using "what number of" with uncountable nouns like "water" or "information". Instead, use "how much" or "what amount of" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what number of" functions as an interrogative determiner used to specify a question regarding the quantity of a countable noun. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what number of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to inquire about the quantity of countable items. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage across varied sources, including news, science, and general writing. While alternatives like "how many" exist, "what number of" holds a slightly more formal tone and is particularly useful when precision is needed. Remember to use it only with countable nouns to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how many

More concise and common alternative focusing directly on quantity.

what quantity of

A more formal alternative emphasizing the amount or extent.

what amount of

Similar to "what quantity of", but generally used with uncountable nouns.

what proportion of

Focuses on the ratio or percentage within a larger group.

what percentage of

More specific, inquiring about the percentage value.

how much

Used with uncountable nouns to inquire about quantity.

to what extent

Focuses on the degree or scope of something.

what volume of

Emphasizes the quantity in terms of volume or capacity.

what frequency of

Emphasizes the measurement of how often something occurs.

what degree of

Focuses on the intensity or level of something.

FAQs

How can I use "what number of" in a sentence?

Use "what number of" followed by a countable noun to ask about the quantity. For example, "What number of students attended the lecture?"

What is the difference between "what number of" and "how many"?

Both phrases ask about quantity, but "what number of" is slightly more formal. "How many" is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Is "what number of" interchangeable with "what amount of"?

No, "what number of" is used with countable nouns, while "what amount of" is used with uncountable nouns. For example, "what number of books" versus "what amount of water".

What are some alternatives to using "what number of" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use alternatives like "what quantity of" or "what proportion of" to convey a similar meaning.