Should I say 'hundreds of people' or give an exact number in my writing?

Question

I'm writing a report about a local festival, and I'm not sure how to describe the number of attendees. For example, should I say, 'Dozens of people attended the event,' 'Hundreds of people attended,' or be more exact, like '230 people attended'?

I've seen phrases like 'dozens of' and 'hundreds of' in news articles, but I don't know when it's better to use these expressions instead of giving a specific number. Does it sound more natural to use these general terms, or should I be precise? I'd appreciate some advice on which sounds better in formal and informal writing.

Context:
Academic writing, American English

Maya Moderator · Accepted Answer

In academic and formal writing, it's helpful to choose between general quantity phrases (like 'hundreds of people') and specific numbers based on your intent and the information you have. Use this pattern:

Use exact numbers (e.g., '231 people attended') when precision is important, expected, or helps support your facts or analysis.
Use imprecise quantity phrases (e.g., 'hundreds of people attended') when you don’t know the exact number, to give a general sense of scale, or when the specific number isn’t significant.

Examples:

Imprecise: "Hundreds of festival-goers enjoyed the parade." (Gives a sense of scale, focus is not on the exact figure)
Precise: "A total of 231 people attended the concert." (Highlights an exact, possibly significant detail)

Practice: Try writing the same sentence both ways: first with an exact number, then with an imprecise phrase. Which version fits your report’s tone and purpose better?

Self-Check: Ask yourself: Does the reader need to know the exact number for context or credibility? If yes, use the specific figure. Otherwise, a general phrase is fine.

Amelia Editor · Answer

In American academic writing, use precise numbers when accuracy matters or data supports your analysis, and general terms (like 'hundreds of people') when only an approximate idea is needed.

For Example:

Narrative: 'Several dozen people gathered at the festival.' (Good for storytelling or when numbers aren’t the focus.)
Academic summary: 'Attendance reached 230 at the festival, according to event organizers.' (Good for analytical or research-focused writing.)

Practice: Identify a sentence in your draft where you mention audience size. Rewrite it both with an exact number and with a general term. Which version sounds more objective and useful in your context?

Editing Tip: If you prefer a general phrase for stylistic reasons, make sure it doesn’t sacrifice informational clarity where exactness is required.

Claire Copydesk · Answer

Choosing between an exact number and a general expression (like 'hundreds of people') depends on the level of precision your audience expects and the purpose of the report.

If the number is verified and detail strengthens your report: 'Exactly 230 people attended the event.'
If you want to emphasize scale or the precise count is less important: 'Hundreds of people attended the event.'

Comparison:

'230 people attended the festival.' (formal, precise, suitable for academic analysis)
'Hundreds of people attended the festival.' (general, effective for overview or when exact data is unavailable)

Try this: Take a recent event and describe it both ways. Note which fits best depending on whether you are writing a data summary or a narrative paragraph.

Correction Approach: Spotcheck your draft: Are there places where a general phrase would read more naturally, or where numbers support your main argument?

Question You Likely Still Have	Direct Answer	How To Apply It
What is the core rule for hundreds people give exact?	Use imprecise quantity phrases (e.g., 'hundreds of people attended') when you don’t know the exact number, to give a general sense of scale, or when the specific number isn’t significant.	Examples: Imprecise : "Hundreds of festival-goers enjoyed the parade." (Gives a sense of scale, focus is not on the exact figure) Precise : "A total of 231 people attended the concert." (Highlights an exact, possibly significant detail) Practice: Try writing the same sentence both ways: first with an exact number, then with an imprecise phrase.
How do I apply hundreds people give exact in a sentence like mine?	In academic and formal writing, it's helpful to choose between general quantity phrases (like 'hundreds of people') and specific numbers based on your intent and the information you have.	If the number is verified and detail strengthens your report: 'Exactly 230 people attended the event.' If you want to emphasize scale or the precise count is less important: 'Hundreds of people attended the event.' Comparison: '230 people attended the festival.' (formal, precise, suitable for academic analysis) 'Hundreds of people attended the festival.' (general, effective for overview or when exact data is unavailable) Try this: Take a recent event and describe it both ways.
What mistakes should I avoid with hundreds people give exact?	Examples: Imprecise : "Hundreds of festival-goers enjoyed the parade." (Gives a sense of scale, focus is not on the exact figure) Precise : "A total of 231 people attended the concert." (Highlights an exact, possibly significant detail) Practice: Try writing the same sentence both ways: first with an exact number, then with an imprecise phrase.	Use this pattern: Use exact numbers (e.g., '231 people attended') when precision is important, expected, or helps support your facts or analysis.

Should I say 'hundreds of people' or give an exact number in my writing?

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