- Do you often wonder why “a number of people” sounds more natural than “an amount of people”?
- Are you confused about whether to use a singular or plural verb after the word “number”?
- Do you want to sound more professional when discussing statistics, contact details, or sequences?
Mastering number collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. Instead of translating word-for-word from your native language, learning these natural word pairings helps you sound more like a native speaker, reduces cognitive load during conversation, and ensures your writing meets professional standards. Whether you are “crunching numbers” in an office or “dialing a number” on your phone, using the right combinations will boost your confidence and clarity.
Essential Collocations using Number as a Noun
Quantity and Statistics
In academic and professional contexts, we often pair “number” with specific adjectives to describe quantity.
- A large number: Used for countable items. (e.g., “A large number of students attended the seminar.”)
- A growing number: Indicates a trend of increase. (e.g., “There is a growing number of people working from home.”)
- A significant number: Suggests an amount that is important or large enough to notice. (e.g., “A significant number of voters stayed home.”)
- A limited number: Indicates scarcity. (e.g., “There are a limited number of tickets available for the concert.”)
Identification and Sequence
These collocations are used for specific digits or identifiers.
- Phone number: The digits used to call someone. (e.g., “Could you give me your phone number?”)
- Lucky number: A number someone believes brings good fortune. (e.g., “Seven has always been my lucky number.”)
- Wrong number: When you call the unintended person. (e.g., “I’m sorry, I think I have the wrong number.”)
- House / Apartment number: Used in addresses. (e.g., “Please write your house number clearly on the form.”)
Common Verb + Number (Noun) Pairings
These are “Action + Object” combinations frequently used by native speakers.
- Crunch numbers: To perform large calculations, usually in finance. (e.g., “The accountants spent all night crunching numbers for the audit.”)
- Dial a number: The act of entering digits on a phone. (e.g., “Wait a moment before you dial the number.”)
- Assign a number: To give a specific digit to an item or person. (e.g., “Each participant was assigned a number for the race.”)
- Check the numbers: To verify data or results. (e.g., “Let me check the numbers one more time before we submit the report.”)
Common Collocations with Number as a Verb
When “number” is used as a verb, it usually refers to counting, estimating, or being part of a group. It is often used in more formal or descriptive contexts.
Quantifying and Estimating
- Number in the (thousands/millions): To reach a certain total. (e.g., “The protestors numbered in the thousands.”)
- Number among: To be included in a specific group. (e.g., “She numbers among the most talented architects in the city.”)
Sequential Actions
- Number the pages: To put a sequence on a document. (e.g., “Don’t forget to number the pages before you print the essay.”)
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| A large number | Noun Phrase | Many (used with countable nouns) |
| Crunch numbers | Verb + Noun | To do a lot of math/calculations |
| Number among | Verb + Preposition | To be one of a specific group |
| Wrong number | Adjective + Noun | Incorrect telephone contact |
| Growing number | Adjective + Noun | An increasing amount |
| Number the items | Verb + Noun | To put things in a numbered list |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Learners often confuse “number” with “amount” or use incorrect prepositions. Use this table to correct common errors.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| A large amount of people | A large number of people |
| Tell me your phone digits | Give/Tell me your phone number |
| The number of students are high | The number of students is high |
| A number of students is waiting | A number of students are waiting |
“Our marketing team had to crunch the numbers after the last campaign. We noticed a growing number of subscribers from Europe, which was a surprise. In fact, our new users now number in the thousands. I personally number among those who believe we should expand our operations there immediately. Please check the numbers in the attached report and let me know your thoughts.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Number Collocations
Is it “A number of” or “The number of”?
This depends on your focus. Use “A number of” (meaning “some” or “many”) with a plural verb: “A number of people are here.” Use “The number of” (referring to the specific total) with a singular verb: “The number of people is 50.”
Can I say “a big number”?
While “big number” is understood in casual speech, it is better to use “a large number” or “a significant number” in formal writing and professional settings to sound more natural.
What does it mean to “be numbered”?
If someone says “his days are numbered,” it is an idiom meaning that someone or something will not last much longer or will soon fail/die.
Why can’t I say “the amount of friends”?
In English, “number” is used for countable nouns (people, cars, ideas), while “amount” is used for uncountable nouns (water, money, time, sand). Since you can count friends, you must use “number.”
What does “opposite numbers” mean?
This is a British English term referring to a person who has the same job or position as you but in a different organization. For example, “I met with my opposite number in the French office.”
So 'a significant number of' always takes a plural verb, but 'the number of' takes a singular verb. Got it! This is invaluable for essay writing.
Precisely, Clara! You've accurately summarized the key grammatical rule for these collocations. Mastering this distinction is indeed invaluable for academic writing, ensuring your sentences are both grammatically correct and convey the exact meaning you intend. Keep practicing!
I literally just had a meeting where I said 'the amount of complaints'. I wish I had read this an hour ago! Now I know to say 'the number of complaints'. Thank you!
What perfect timing, Ben! Don't worry, these 'aha!' moments are a vital part of the learning process. The most important thing is that you've recognized the distinction and now have the knowledge to apply it confidently in your next meeting. That's real progress!
Any other fun idioms with 'number' besides 'crunching numbers'? Like 'my number one priority' was mentioned, are there more?
This is exactly why I follow Translateen.com! Small details like these make a huge difference in fluency. I've definitely made the 'amount of people' mistake before.
We're so glad to hear that, Priya! You've hit on a core principle of language learning: fluency is often built from mastering these 'small details' that create a big impact. Recognizing and correcting common errors like 'amount of people' is a clear sign of progress. Keep up the great work!
Is 'a high number' also correct, like 'a large number'? Or is 'large' preferred?
I'd love to see a follow-up article on how these collocations change in very formal academic writing versus business communication. Is there a slight shift in preferred phrases?
That's an insightful suggestion, Fiona! While many 'number' collocations are versatile across contexts, there can indeed be subtle preferences in very formal academic or highly specialized business writing. We'll definitely consider exploring those nuances in a future post to help our advanced learners refine their style. Thank you for the idea!
Fantastic article! This topic is so often overlooked but is crucial for sounding natural. Loved the example 'crunching numbers'!
Are there specific verbs that commonly go with 'number' when it's the subject? For example, 'The number of complaints has increased.' What are other common verbs?
Excellent question, Ingrid! For 'the number of [something]' (which takes a singular verb), common verbs include 'has risen/fallen,' 'stands at,' 'exceeds,' 'reaches,' 'remains stable,' or 'varies.' For 'a number of [things]' (which takes a plural verb), you'd commonly see 'are increasing,' 'have been reported,' 'were present,' etc. Knowing these helps with accurate and natural expression!
I always translate from Chinese literally, so 'a large number' sounds so much better than what I would usually say. It's a hard habit to break, but articles like this help a lot!
So 'a number of' is for countable things, and 'an amount of' is for uncountable things, right? Just want to make sure I got that clear!
Absolutely correct, Sofia! You've perfectly grasped that distinction. 'A number of' is used with plural countable nouns (e.g., 'a number of books'), while 'an amount of' is for uncountable nouns (e.g., 'an amount of water,' 'an amount of information'). Well done!