• “What number” is used for open-ended inquiries seeking information about an unspecified quantity.
• “Which number” is employed when selecting or identifying a specific number from a known or limited set of options.

What Number

“When” and “what” often go hand in hand when asking questions. “What number” is typically used when you are seeking information about an unknown or unspecified quantity. It’s a more general inquiry that doesn’t presuppose a limited set of options.

Understanding “What Number”

Interrogative Nature:

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• The phrase “What number” is fundamentally interrogative, meaning it is used to ask questions. When we say, “What number,” we are seeking information about a specific numerical value.

Open-Ended Inquiry:

• Unlike more restrictive phrases, “What number” is open-ended. It invites a broad range of responses and doesn’t limit the answer to a specific set or context. For example, “What number comes to mind when you think of your favorite integer?” allows for a variety of personal responses.

Applicability in Different Contexts:

• “What number” can be applied in various situations, from mathematical queries to personal preferences. For instance, “What number represents your age?” involves a factual, numerical answer, while “What number symbolizes luck for you?” delves into a more subjective and personal interpretation.

Usage in Everyday Language:

• Native speakers commonly use the phrase “What number” in casual conversations and everyday language. It serves as a versatile tool for seeking information without presupposing a limited range of possibilities.

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Examples for Clarity:

• To illustrate, consider the sentence: “What number do you associate with a memorable date in your life?” Here, the question encourages the listener to think about a specific numerical value tied to a significant event, allowing for a diverse array of answers.

Which Number

On the other hand, “which number” is used when you are selecting or identifying a specific number from a known or limited set of options. It implies a certain level of exclusivity or choice.

Understanding “Which Number”

Specificity and Selection:

• The phrase “Which number” is inherently tied to specificity and selection. It is employed when a particular numerical value is to be identified or chosen from a known set of options.

Limited Options:

• Unlike the more open-ended “What number,” “Which number” implies a more restricted field of choices. It prompts the listener to pinpoint a specific number from a defined set or context.

Contextual Usage:

• “Which number” finds application in various scenarios where choices need to be made or specific identifications are required. For example, “Which number on the menu corresponds to your favorite dish?” directs the listener to choose a specific dish from a list.

Decision-Making and Preferences:

• The phrase often involves decision-making or expressing preferences. “Which number represents your preferred option?” encourages the listener to select a particular choice from a given set.

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Examples for Clarity:

• Consider the sentence: “In the deck of cards, please choose which number you want to represent as your lucky card.” Here, the speaker is asking the listener to make a decision from the set of numbers associated with a deck of cards.

From the Ngram graph, we can see that “which number” and “what number” follow a similar curvature in terms of use. Both “which number” and “what number” have decreased in usage since the 1800s.

Why would there be confusion between “what number” and “which number”?

The confusion between “which number” and “what number” often arises due to their subtle differences and the richness of English nuances. Learners may struggle to discern when to use these phrases, as they both frequently appear in similar sentence structures.

Individuals may find it challenging to navigate these distinctions without explicit explanations and practical examples. To overcome this confusion, learners can benefit from exposure to diverse instances where “which number” denotes specific selections, while “what number” is used for open-ended inquiries. Regular practice and engagement in conversations that feature these phrases in various contexts can help reinforce the correct usage and enhance language proficiency.

Answer key:

1. In the sequence of numbers, please identify which number comes after twenty-five.
2. During the survey, participants were asked to choose what number they considered the most crucial factor in their decision-making.
3. In the list of ingredients, can you specify which number you need for the recipe?
4. The teacher asked the students to indicate which number in the series they believed best represented the climax of the story.
5. Please write down what number you associate with the concept of infinity.
6. When solving the math problem, consider what number might be the missing value to complete the equation.
7. As part of the game, each player must decide which number they want to be their starting position on the game board.
8. During the presentation, the speaker asked the audience to think about what number could be potential challenges in the upcoming project.
9. The instructions for the puzzle are straightforward: choose what number fits in the empty space to complete the pattern.
10. When discussing your favorite book, can you mention which number chapter had the most impact on you?

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References:

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Category: WHICH