can be controlled in <a/the> number of ways

[mimi2]

Hi,
Is this sentence correct?
"Noise pollution in big cities can be controlled in the number of ways."
Thanks.

 

[coiffe]

Hi,
Is this sentence correct?
"Noise pollution in big cities can be controlled in the number of ways."
Thanks.

Hi Mimi,

"Noise pollution in big cities can be controlled in a number of ways."

 

[mimi2]

Hi, coiffe.
Thank you. When would I use "in the number of "?

 

[coiffe]

"A number of" means "many."

"The number of" is something more specific, i.e. "I know exactly the number of people who are living here." I know the number -- it is four (for example).

"The" is precise and referential. "A number of" is not precise, it just means several or many.

 

[mimi2]

Thank you, coiffe.
I understand now.