the number of vs the numbers of

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'The number of' is used when referring to a singular noun, while 'the numbers of' is used when referring to multiple nouns. It's important to match the form of the article 'the' and the noun(s) following it.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 2087 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"the number of "

Use 'the number of' when referring to a singular noun. It is followed by a singular noun and is used to indicate quantity or amount.

Examples:

The number of students in the class is twenty.
The number of books on the shelf is increasing.
The number of cars in the parking lot is limited.

Alternatives:

a number of
a large number of
a small number of
a certain number of
the total number of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"the numbers of "

Use 'the numbers of' when referring to multiple nouns. It is followed by plural nouns and is used to indicate quantities or amounts of each noun.

Examples:

The numbers of students and teachers in the school are increasing.
The numbers of books and magazines on the table need to be organized.
The numbers of cars and bicycles in the garage are growing.

Show examples from the web [+]

The international community is still unable to obtain reliable information on the numbers of casualties among the Tibetan protesters.
Since the measure has an effect on the numbers of consumers for digital terrestrial television services, there might also be an indirect positive impact on network operators.
Further west in your neighborhoods... the numbers of crimes against merchants are way, way down.
This is in stark contrast with the results achieved by the previous Conservative Government, under which the numbers of those homeless and sleeping rough actually increased.
Last year, for example, joint operations reduced the numbers of illegal immigrants arriving in the Canary Islands by 61%.
For the numbers of incidents and deaths of air travellers to be reduced, reliable statistics would provide substantial added value.
Due to the sensitivity of this issue acquiring accurate data on the numbers of male and female child victims is problematic.
Sectoral agricultural legislation requires Member States to send information on the numbers of checks carried out and on their outcomes within specified deadlines.
Scoring of the numbers of cells with one, two, or more micronuclei could provide useful information, but is not mandatory.
Today, the arguments about the numbers of refugees still remaining in the area are more heated than ever.
Reliable data is indeed not available on the numbers of civilians affected directly or indirectly by this bitter conflict.
UK research predicts that by 2051, there will be an increase of 154% in the numbers of people with dementia.
Furthermore, the consequence of decisions by institutions to reduce the numbers of laureates on reserve lists to proportions more in line with financial perspectives, and therefore real recruitment possibilities, risks creating distortion.
Later in the report, however, it is suggested that restructuring should not be used to increase business profitability by reducing the numbers of workers.
This could entail a severe reduction in investments and in the numbers of employees.
increasing the numbers of nurses specialising in infection control;
I am not going to repeat the numbers of refugees in the different regions.
Offering maternity provision could have no effect on the numbers of women considering entrepreneurship.
The Commission should monitor more closely the numbers of animals used in scientific purposes.
They match the numbers of this calendar exactly.

Alternatives:

the various numbers of
the different numbers of
the total numbers of
the combined numbers of
the individual numbers of

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the number of vs the numbers of

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