large number

Using this phrase is like following a simple recipe. You almost always see it as a large number of followed by a plural noun. For example, you would say a large number of people or a large number of apps. Here is a pro tip: even though a is singular, the whole phrase acts as a plural unit. This means you should use a plural verb. You say a large number of students are, not is. It feels a bit like a team—one group, but many members. Just remember to always point it at things you can actually count one by one. If you can't put them in a line and count them, this isn't the phrase for you.

Imagine you are checking your favorite creator's latest post. You might see a large number of comments arguing about something silly. Or think about when a new game drops on Steam. A large number of players might crash the servers on the first night. We see this in the news all the time too. A reporter might say a large number of protesters gathered in the city square. In your own life, you might complain to a friend about a large number of emails waiting in your inbox after a long weekend. It is the language of reality, from viral TikToks to busy Monday mornings.

This is your go-to phrase for semi-formal or neutral situations. It is perfect for a work email when you want to show that a project has a large number of tasks. It is also great for school essays where "many" feels a bit too simple and "lots" feels too casual. Use it when you want to sound objective. It works perfectly when describing trends, like a large number of people switching to electric cars. It is the language of observation. You are simply stating what you see without adding too much drama. It is reliable, like a good pair of jeans that fits every occasion.

This is where most people trip up. Never use large number for things you cannot count, like water, air, time, or money. You would never say a large number of water. That sounds like you are trying to count the individual drops with a tiny spoon! For those things, we use a large amount. Also, avoid it in very high-energy, slang-filled conversations. If you are at a party and say, "Wow, there is a large number of people here," you might sound a bit like a robot trying to blend in. In those cases, just stick to "so many people" or "a huge crowd."

One of the most frequent errors is mixing up number and amount.

• ✗ a large number of time → ✓ a large amount of time
• ✗ a large number of money → ✓ a large amount of money

Another mistake is forgetting the s at the end of the noun.

• ✗ a large number of student → ✓ a large number of students

Finally, don't say big number of. While people will understand you, it sounds a bit childish. Large is the sophisticated older brother of big in this specific context. Use it to level up your English instantly.

If you want to vary your language, you have plenty of options. A great many is a bit more old-fashioned and poetic. Numerous is a fantastic one-word alternative that sounds very professional. A multitude of is even more formal, like something you would read in a grand history book. If you are feeling casual, plenty of or a ton of work well. Quite a few is a funny one because it actually means "a lot," even though it uses the word "few." English is weird like that! Each of these has a slightly different flavor, so choose based on who you are talking to.

You can spice up the phrase by changing the adjective. A vast number of makes the quantity feel even bigger, like looking out over an ocean. A growing number of is perfect for talking about trends that are getting more popular every day. A significant number of suggests that the amount is not just big, but also important or meaningful. If you want to be a bit more modest, you can say a considerable number of. These variations allow you to be more precise about exactly how "large" you really mean. It is like having a volume knob for your sentences.

Is large number formal? It is neutral to semi-formal. You can use it with your boss or in a research paper safely. Should I use a singular or plural verb? Always use plural! A large number of people are. It sounds singular because of the a, but it refers to the many individuals in the group. Can I say "a big number"? You can, but it sounds a bit less professional than large. In English, large is the preferred partner for number in almost all writing. It just sounds more natural to a native ear.