usage - Why does "a bigger number of" seem wrong?


I noticed when answering this related question that I would never say a bigger number of. I have no issues with 5 is a bigger number than 3 (though I would probably say a larger or greater number instead), but a bigger number of people than expected sounds just plain wrong. I also don't seem to be alone in this:


NGRam comparing bigger, greater and larger number of


It was suggested to me in chat that this might be because bigger and number of have different registers and they sound incongruous together. I am not quite convinced of that though, neither seems particularly associated with any specific register.


What is different about that particular construction? Why are a larger/greater number of and a bigger number than fine yet a bigger number of not? Also, am I imagining this? At least one native speaker active on this site seems to disagree, am I alone in my distaste?




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