May I know whether I can write "number of" instead of"total number of"?
Example "number of fruits" instead of"total number of fruits".
What does "number of" and "total number of" mean?

Question

May I know whether I can write "number of" instead of"total number of"?Example "number of fruits" instead of"total number of fruits".What does "number of" and "total number of" mean?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

anonymousMay I know whether I can write "number of" instead of"total number of"?

A sentence would help.

anonymousExample "number of fruits" instead of"total number of fruits".

Countable fruit is rare. Let's use something countable.

anonymousWhat does "number of" and "total number of" mean?

What do ….

This is when I wish I had a sentence to work with. Even if I could think of every possible context for those two phrases, you probably want only one context, and you would get swamped. I'm feeling big-hearted today, so I'll try to guess which one you mean.

"Total number of" takes the definite article, and "number of" need not.

"A number of dogs came around the corner." - This means that more than two dogs but not many more came around the corner. It is like saying "several dogs", but it sounds like there were more than three or four because you don't have to be Rain Man to count three or four at a glance.

But I don't think that you want that context. That was just to illustrate the use of the indefinite article.

"The number of clowns that can fit into a Volkswagen Beetle is limited." - Only so many clowns will fit.

"The total number of clowns that can fit into a Volkswagen Beetle is limited." - You wouldn't use "total" there. It is painfully unnecessary.

"Add up the number of dogs in each breed within a group at the dog show to get the total number of dogs in that group." - "Total" works here because the number in each breed is a sort of sub-total.

I hope this helps.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

anonymousMay I know

You do not need my permission to know something. It is best just to ask the question directly.

anonymous"total number of fruits".

Fruit is usually non-count. e.g There are six pieces of fruit in the basket.

Exception: It is important to eat a diet mainly of fruits and vegetables.

anonymous"total number of"

That means you add every instance together, generally across several categories.

The total number of cases since swine flu first surfaced in the spring is 2,607.
When phone calls and letters were included, the total number of contacts was 63.
The total number of flight cancellations last month was 12,630, FlightAware reported.
The total number of crimes reported to the FBI was up by 100, from 948 to 1,048.
Authorities still do not know the total number of bus passengers that were affected by the bus drivers' strike yesterday.

anonymous"number of"

This is just a count.

When people were able to file applications online, the number of requests received per week rose sharply.
During the pandemic, airlines reduced the number of routes and planes they fly.
Universities are increasing the number of training programs for engineers.

Or it can mean "some."

Hamilton is an accountant who had done work for Etheredge for a number of years.

CalifJim · Answer

anonymous~~May I know whether I can write "number of" instead of"total number of"?~~
Can I write "number of" instead of "total number of"?

As shown.

Please don't start with "May I know".

May I know whether I can write "number of" instead of "total number of"? What does "number of" and "total number of" mean?

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