TextRanch
The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

TextRanch Editors

a number of vs number of

Both 'a number of' and 'number of' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A number of' is used when referring to an unspecified quantity of something, while 'number of' is used when specifying a quantity without the indefinite article 'a'.

Last updated: March 28, 2024 • 1309 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"a number of"

Use 'a number of' when referring to an unspecified quantity of something. It is followed by a plural noun.

Examples:

  • A number of students attended the seminar.
  • There are a number of reasons for his absence.
  • She has a number of books on the shelf.
  • A number of people have complained about the noise.
  • There were a number of errors in the report.
  • Nov 11, 2023 ... Examples of a number of in a Sentence. Recent Examples on the Web In this position, Hitler began a surgical manipulation of the German political ...
  • For example, A number of tours are available, or We've visited a number of times. This idiom often is modified by an adjective giving some idea of quantity, as ...
  • Dec 8, 2019 ... Adding a number of years to a date ... OK, I am really struggling with this one! ... In column C “Expiry” I want it to add “Qualification duration” ...
  • May 3, 2023 ... Specify a number of features returned by a trace? ... Hi All,. I have a workflow where I'm trying to identify the "parent" feature of any given ...
  • Jan 16, 2014 ... The expression "a number of" also belongs to the same category—it is always followed by the plural form, as in "a number of days passed" or "a ...
  • Oct 19, 2023 ... I've shed a number of tears since last weekend... --> First of hope, as I stood in line to cast my vote in the Australian referendum to ...
  • How to create a number of associated tickets property for Contacts and Companies · Head to settings in your portal clicking the gear icon on the top right ...
  • Sep 7, 2023 ... 8300 likes, 321 comments - limoblaze_ on September 7, 2023: "I and @adaehimoses have had a number of memorable collaborations and “Talk ...

Alternatives:

  • several
  • many
  • a few
  • a handful of
  • a couple of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"number of"

Use 'number of' when specifying a quantity without the indefinite article 'a'. It is followed by a plural noun.

Examples:

  • The number of students in the class is 30.
  • There are a number of books on the shelf.
  • The number of people attending the event exceeded expectations.
  • She mentioned the number of errors in the report.
  • The total number of participants is 100.
  • And each wish corresponds different number of pigeons.
  • The table below shows the applicable number of days.
  • These are a number of collectibles.
  • A number of further European Parliament changes is proposed.
  • Indicate number of samples taken and rejection criteria.
  • MEPs made a number of recommendations.
  • Reduced number of infringement cases of EU legislation attributable to LIFE interventions.
  • Count the number of plants showing symptoms.
  • The Rothe report contains a number of constructive proposals.
  • Experts have warned of a growing number of addicts.
  • The Cardiff Summit will consider a number of issues.
  • They have counted the number of resolutions adopted which criticise China.
  • Available for all models; limited number of characters.
  • Mr Wiersma's report offers a number of suggestions.
  • Guests can enjoy a number of exciting activities nearby.
  • The corresponding calculation contains a number of conservative estimates.
  • Haematuria/ proteinuria occurred in a small number of patients.
  • Over time the number of these reactions decreased.
  • The ECAF foresees a number of alternative credit assessment sources.
  • Iteration is the number of repetitions of effect when applying filter.

Alternatives:

  • quantity of
  • amount of
  • total of
  • figure of
  • count of

Related Comparisons

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

  • Emails and short texts
  • Proofreading & editing
  • Ready in 5-10 minutes
SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

  • Documents of any type (*.docx)
  • Advanced & Premium editing
  • Ready in as little as 4 hours
UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

  • Personalized answers to your language questions
  • Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
  • Ready in 24 hours
ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Powered By Humans

TextRanch Editors

AI is a great tool, but when it comes to perfecting your writing, we rely on real human editors.

  • All our editors are native English speakers.
  • Each editor has passed a rigorous admission test to ensure quality.
  • Our global team is ready to correct any text, anytime.

MEET OUR EDITORS

TextRanch Editors

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

People Feedback 4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Profile picture of Zubair from Bangladesh

Zubair
from Bangladesh From

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Profile picture of Arturo from Mexico

Arturo
from Mexico From

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Profile picture of Selena from USA

Selena
from USA From

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Profile picture of Ifiok from Nigeria

Ifiok
from Nigeria From

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Profile picture of Wilson from France

Wilson
from France From

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Profile picture of Susan from Germany

Susan
from Germany From

Trusted by Hundreds Teams

Facebook logo
Accenture logo
Air Asia logo
AirBus logo
Amazon logo
Bayer logo
Decathlon logo
Docusign logo
Ebay logo
Fiverr logo
Fossil logo
Keller Williams logo
LinkedIn logo
Loreal logo
Motorola logo
Orange logo
Roche logo
Salesforce logo
Stellantis logo