Guide 48 / 200 4 alternatives 2-minute read
Better ways to say “A number of”
Vague where "several" or a real count would do.
i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler
Common padding in reports. Usually you mean "several" or "a few." Sometimes you have a real count — use it. The phrase also creates subject-verb confusion ("a number of issues is/are") which you dodge by rewriting.
ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo
Before
A number of issues remain.
After
Several issues remain.
iii · The alternatives4 ways out
- 01Several neutral
roughly 3–7
Several bugs remain.
- 02A few informal
roughly 2–4
A few bugs remain.
- 03Many neutral
large count
Many customers complained.
- 04[actual count] neutral
when you know the number
Three issues remain.
iv · Brew tipKeep this one
Prefer a real number; failing that, prefer "several" or "a few."