large number
عدد كبير
Use `large number` for countable items when you want to sound clear, professional, and objective.
15秒でわかる
- Used for countable things like people, objects, or ideas.
- More formal than 'a lot' but less stiff than 'multitude'.
- Perfect for reports, news, and serious storytelling.
意味
This phrase is used to describe a quantity of something that is quite significant or bigger than expected. It is a simple way to say there is 'a lot' of something without being too specific about the exact count.
主な例文
3 / 6Reporting at a staff meeting
A large number of clients have requested this new feature.
A large number of clients have requested this new feature.
Complaining about traffic to a friend
There were a large number of cars on the highway today.
There were a large number of cars on the highway today.
Texting about a party
A large number of people showed up, so the house is packed!
A large number of people showed up, so the house is packed!
文化的背景
The phrase reflects a Western preference for quantifiable data and objective reporting. In English-speaking business and academic cultures, using 'large number' instead of 'many' adds a layer of professional distance and perceived accuracy. It is a staple of British and American journalism to remain neutral while describing scale.
The Countable Rule
Always use this with plural nouns you can count (cats, books, stars). If you can't count it (coffee, air), use 'a large amount' instead.
Avoid 'Big Number'
While 'big number' isn't wrong, 'large number' sounds much more natural to native speakers in writing.
15秒でわかる
- Used for countable things like people, objects, or ideas.
- More formal than 'a lot' but less stiff than 'multitude'.
- Perfect for reports, news, and serious storytelling.
What It Means
Large number is your go-to phrase when you want to talk about quantity. It means more than a few. It means more than several. It implies a significant amount that catches your attention. Think of it as the polite, clear cousin of 'a ton' or 'heaps.'
How To Use It
You usually place it before a noun. You will often see it as a large number of [things]. It works best with things you can actually count. You wouldn't use it for water or sand. Use it for people, cars, or emails. It sounds smart but stays very easy to understand.
When To Use It
Use this when you are at work reporting data. Use it when telling a friend about a crowded concert. It is perfect for news reports or school essays. If you are texting and want to sound slightly more serious than 'lots of,' this is your friend. It fits perfectly in a professional email.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things you can't count. For example, don't say a large number of happiness. That sounds very strange! Use a lot of or great deal of for feelings. Also, avoid it in very high-energy slang conversations. It might feel a bit too 'stiff' for a wild party.
Cultural Background
English speakers love to categorize things. We have many ways to say 'many.' Large number is the safe, middle-ground choice. It avoids the exaggeration of 'millions' but sounds more precise than 'some.' It became popular in the 18th century as formal writing became more standardized.
Common Variations
You might hear a great number which is even more formal. Or a significant number when the amount really matters for a result. In casual talk, people often swap it for a bunch or dozens. If you want to sound very academic, try a vast number. But for daily life, large number is the sweet spot.
使い方のコツ
This is a neutral-to-formal collocation. It is almost always used with the preposition 'of' followed by a plural noun.
The Countable Rule
Always use this with plural nouns you can count (cats, books, stars). If you can't count it (coffee, air), use 'a large amount' instead.
Avoid 'Big Number'
While 'big number' isn't wrong, 'large number' sounds much more natural to native speakers in writing.
Understatement
Sometimes English speakers say 'a large number' when they actually mean 'way too many' to be polite or indirect.
例文
6A large number of clients have requested this new feature.
A large number of clients have requested this new feature.
Shows professional observation of trends.
There were a large number of cars on the highway today.
There were a large number of cars on the highway today.
A bit more descriptive than just saying 'heavy traffic'.
A large number of people showed up, so the house is packed!
A large number of people showed up, so the house is packed!
Adds emphasis to how crowded the space is.
I seem to have a large number of plants for someone who forgets to water them.
I seem to have a large number of plants for someone who forgets to water them.
Uses formal phrasing for a self-deprecating joke.
A large number of volunteers gave their time to help the homeless.
A large number of volunteers gave their time to help the homeless.
Highlights the scale of community support.
A large number of errors were found in the final report.
A large number of errors were found in the final report.
Sounds serious and authoritative without being aggressive.
自分をテスト
Choose the best noun to follow the phrase.
There are a large number of ___ in the parking lot.
You can count 'vehicles', but you cannot count 'water' or 'snow' as individual units.
Complete the sentence to sound professional.
We received a ___ number of applications for the job.
While 'big' works, 'large number' is the standard collocation for professional English.
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ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality Scale for Quantities
Used with friends
A ton of
Standard daily use
A large number of
Academic or Legal
A multitude of
Where to use 'Large Number'
News Report
A large number of protesters gathered.
Office Email
We have a large number of tasks today.
Science Lab
A large number of samples were tested.
Travel Story
I saw a large number of birds.
よくある質問
10 問No, because water is uncountable. You should say a large amount of water or a lot of water instead.
It isn't necessarily better, but it sounds more descriptive and formal. Use large number in reports and many in quick conversation.
When you say a large number of people, use are. For example: A large number of people are waiting.
Yes, but it might sound a bit serious. If you are joking about having a large number of snacks, it works great!
The opposite would be a small number or a few.
Yes, it is used globally in all major English dialects, including British, American, and Australian English.
Yes! A huge number is a more emphatic version of a large number and is very common.
Sometimes you don't know the exact count, or the exact count isn't as important as the fact that there are many.
Absolutely. It is a standard phrase in university essays and scientific papers.
Not at all. It is very safe and will never make you sound unprofessional or rude.
関連フレーズ
A great deal of
Used for uncountable things like time or money.
A wide array of
A large number of different types of things.
Dozens of
An informal way to say a large number (literally multiples of 12).
A significant amount
A quantity that is large enough to be important.
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