Collocations for number - noun
1. symbol/word
ADJ.
cardinal, decimal, ordinal | even, odd
Houses on this side of the road have even numbers.
Houses on this side of the road have even numbers.
high, low | prime | random | lucky, unlucky
Many people think 13 is an unlucky number.
Many people think 13 is an unlucky number.
winning
the winning numbers in tonight''s lottery
the winning numbers in tonight''s lottery
VERB + NUMBER
add, divide, multiply, subtract, take away
Add all the numbers together, divide by ten, and take away the number you first thought of.
Add all the numbers together, divide by ten, and take away the number you first thought of.
PHRASES
in round numbers
There were about 150 there, in round numbers.
There were about 150 there, in round numbers.
number crunching
(= doing calculations) There''s more to accountancy than just number crunching.
(= doing calculations) There''s more to accountancy than just number crunching.
2. quantity/amount
ADJ.
considerable, enormous, great, huge, inordinate, large, substantial, vast | record
a record number of enquiries
a record number of enquiries
disproportionate, surprising | fair, reasonable, significant
We''ve had a fair number of complaints about the new phone system.
We''ve had a fair number of complaints about the new phone system.
finite, infinite
There are an infinite number of solutions to the problem.
There are an infinite number of solutions to the problem.
equal
The candidates received an equal number of votes.
The candidates received an equal number of votes.
maximum, minimum | average, mean, median | adequate, sufficient | limited, small | growing, increasing, rising | exact, precise
Many people have died in the epidemic - the precise number is not known.
Many people have died in the epidemic - the precise number is not known.
indefinite, unspecified | approximate | total
VERB + NUMBER
grow in, increase in
Factories had increased in number between the wars.
Factories had increased in number between the wars.
decrease in, reduce in
NUMBER + VERB
double, grow, increase | decline, diminish, drop, dwindle, fall (off/down)
Shark numbers have dwindled as a result of hunting.
Shark numbers have dwindled as a result of hunting.
PREP.
in ~
The paintings, twelve in number, are over 200 years old.
The paintings, twelve in number, are over 200 years old.
PHRASES
a decline/drop in numbers
The decline in numbers of young people means that fewer teachers will be needed.
The decline in numbers of young people means that fewer teachers will be needed.
a growth/an increase in numbers, few/limited/small in number
Wild dogs are now few in number.
Wild dogs are now few in number.
3. for identifying sb/sth
ADJ.
account, identity, registration, serial, etc. | flat, house
PREP.
at ~
We live at number 21.
We live at number 21.
4. telephone number
ADJ.
fax, phone, telephone | home, office, work | wrong
I keep getting the wrong number.
I keep getting the wrong number.
VERB + NUMBER
call, dial, phone, ring | get