I admit that I did not trip over any issues until I found the glaring inconsistency in the final paragraph. By remembering the M that is part of the words amount and mass, you can be sure to reserve amount for use with mass nouns. The words amount and number pretty much mean the same thing: a quantity of something. "Amount" is used to offer the quantity of uncountable nouns, while "number" illustrates the quantity of countable nouns.When do we use "amount"?As already explained above, "amount" is used to determine how much there is of something, when that thing is not countable.Example: This project requires a huge amount of energy and time. Now, in academic and technical writing, using the words amount and number correctly has a significant impact on the quality of writing. Get info on Tax Refunds. Dont use them. Mr Wood, thank you for claiming interestingly, albeit erroneously, that this is an issue that can be decided by a vote with a participation of three (not that any poll or vote has taken place, of course). Now lets look at some really common combinations with number and amount. So I can say an amount of oil. The number of children covered by health insurance increased to 4 million last year. Other nouns cant be counted individually. Edit. 2023 Grammarist, a Found First Marketing company. Can you beat your friends at this quiz? English. Use amount with things you can't count (mass nouns). Examples about the usages with count, number and amount -- wrong or right? Inside or outside: question marks, exclamation points, and quotationmarks, Happy birthday, Grammar Party! Either word can be applied to a particular thing as long as the description of the thing is consistent with the distinction between amount and number: One can refer to the amount of fun one has had, but one can also count the number of fun things one has done. Those have been documented in many other places: Time can be considered to be EITHER a continuous quantity like water, OR it can be considered to be a discrete number of days, hours, minutes, or seconds. When you say "A large number of people gathered", that means a large number, e.g. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. All the seats in the classroom are numbered. For countable nouns, use the quantifier " number". 0 && stateHdr.searchDesk ? In the last paragraph, youre actively contradicting yourself. a year ago. Amount: is used with uncountable nouns. Amount vs Number. 12 and don't forget the referee. They felt a tremendous amount of guilt for not helping her. Here are some examples of number used as a noun. The correct quantity is area, and it always will be. ), Now well do a little quiz. That means you would use the word number to go with them. They are most commonly used with an adjective such as huge, big, large, small: The soldiers discovered a large quantity of weapons hidden under the floor of a disused building. 1. number 2. number 3. amount 4. number 5. amount 6. amount. Amount vs. would you say there is a large number of ants or a a large amount of ants?, Technically, you could count the ants. "To amount" means to have a particular total, and "to amount to something" refers to being the same or having the same effect as something. The logical contradiction I was originally referring to is obvious when you isolate one statement and one example from the final paragraph: One can refer to [] an amount of time or a number of hours., I need to decrease the amount of hours Im scheduled to work.. It's not as easy as it sounds! The quantifier number describes something that can have a number. Amount refers to quantities that are measured in bulk or mass considered as a whole while number pertains to things that can be counted individually: The amount of square footage in the attached shed is enough for a push lawn mower or a small barbecue, but The total number of square feet includes the attached sheds square footage.. BuzzFeed Staff, Canada. Amount and a mass noun both begin with the letters "am." This should help you keep these words straight. Once you would have come back home and ask me with a question sentence : Hey, mohan have the number of apple trees decreased or remained intact ? The final copy of the student's essay still contained anumber of grammar errors. 76% average accuracy. Mr. Heckemanns observations about the errors and inconsistencies in the article are spot on and well presented. Let's see the following examples. The appropriate replacement is greater. Subscribers get access to our archives with 800+ interactive exercises! 6th grade . "Amount vs. 5. With a, not the. ). I agree with Mr. Heckemann on his statement, a number 2. 1. Amount can be a noun or a verb. Past perfect simple or past perfect continuous? So, if you are unwilling to learn the idiomatic ways of saying or writing certain things in English, French, Japanese, etc., you might as well sit there silently. Guide with Examples. Improve your grammar, vocabulary, and writing -- and it's FREE! To play this quiz, please finish editing it. Add ${headword} to one of your lists below, or create a new one. https://www.grammar.com/amount_vs._number, This explanation is very confusing due to the multiple issues with the grammatical construction here. Ads by Newor Media. annual amount of rainfall a substantial amount of money (LogOut/ We did not have sufficient amount of time to visit the park. For instance. Example: The amount of hatred I have for snakes has lessened. 2 A large amount of cash ___________ sitting in his mothers bank account when she died. In reference to amount, use the terms little or less or the phrase much more: The amount left is too little to be of any use., The amount is much more than we expected.. For example, because the noun person can be counted, the phrase amount of people might be considered incorrect. 4. All rights reserved. (Used amount but guided to number) Amount, whenused as a noun, describes a quantity of uncountable nouns, such as air, water, or time. (Bear in mind that there are several different calls for some numbers but these will only fit one! The frequent confusion between amount and number is based on a misunderstanding of a small, simple distinction that the words themselves indicate. Im sorry but to offer the amount of square footage as an example is just awful! Withdrawing a paper after acceptance modulo revisions? STANDS4 LLC, 2023. How to distinguish between Amount and Number? Inquire vs Enquire: Whats the Difference. Number can also be a verb, where it means to count or to add up to. Played 211 times. Amount vs Number STUDY PLAY Amount Uncountables, mass nouns, such as bravery, charisma and water. If you still need help, you can reference this article in the future. With a, not the ? Pop Quiz Choose the correct word in each sentence. (uncountable), Quirky and novel: ways of saying that something is unusual (1), Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023. A large of grain is handled at Thunder Bay. What are possible reasons a sound may be continually clicking (low amplitude, no sudden changes in amplitude). With amount, on the other hand, the verb is singular. 10 Great amounts of sunbathing ____________ your skin. Indeed, I hate people confusing amount and number. This quiz is incomplete! Correct examples: "They've had too much to drink." (adverb phrase) "They drink too much." (adjective phrase) "The draft didn't amount to much for the Texas team." (random clause) Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Thanks for your comment, Mohan. Hosted by Dreamhost . What is wrong? Amount vs Number. Amount" and "number" both refer to quantity and can be used as nouns and verbs as well. Correct: A large number of people gathered on the street. Amount vs Number Amount: Referring to things in bulk Number: Referring to countable units Good vs Well Good: Adjective used before nouns and following linking verbs Well: Typically used as adverb, as an adjective only in reference to health Bad vs Badly Bad: adjective, after linking verb and before noun Badly: adjective, moaa verb Bring vs Take One thing I dont understand is that suppose I am a gardener of you and you are the owner. 0% average accuracy. Try this Stock Market quiz. If this is about a statistic, then you can use the singular verb. "To amount" means to have a particular total, and "to amount to something" refers to being the same or having the same effect as something. Put your knowledge to the test! I've saved a considerable amount of money. A small amount of sugar is in the bowl. Continue reading to discover the difference between them, and to find out whether you should use number or amount. - Do you have feedback or suggestions on how we can improve? Its now more important than ever to develop a powerful writing style. And not: She need (without s)? Man hat alles gegessen! means They have eaten everything up! in some contexts, but it can mean a singular pronoun in other contexts, and it must be translated thus into English. Amount or number? A quantity of or quantities of can be followed by a countable noun or an uncountable noun. DRAFT. 5th - University. 4 hours ago by. Im amazed at how often I hear journalistic professionals on television make the mistake of referring to an amount of people. Frida counted the number of marshmallows in the bag. Whenused as a noun, number signifies a quantity of countable nouns, such as trees, cities, or papers. You cannot count the water in a glass, for instance, or the religious freedom in America. Amount and a mass noun both begin with the letters am. This should help you keep these words straight. Which number lies directly opposite the number three on a standard die? "To number" is usually used in passive, meaning to give something a number, or, secondary, it can also refer to "numbering a particular amount of people/things", which means that there are a lot of people/things.The actual confusion that is often created between "amount" and "number" is actually sourced by the nouns they represent. 4 hours ago by. I particularly relish the topic areas that address Englishs idiosyncrasies, quirks and gray areas. How many years did Tony Blair serve as Prime Minister of the UK? 'pa pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25' : 'hdn'">, Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes, Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. Its always a number of and an amount of. 5 A fair amount of chilli in your diet ___________ said to be preventative of cancer. English. -Quantity should be used for an inanimate, single or plural noun that CAN be counted or measured. The camera can measure theamount of light in the room and adjust its settings accordingly. When one refers to hours, one is dealing with units of time, i.e. Did you know there are words in English that can be used both as a noun and a verb? Quantity is more formal than amount or number. Some nouns can be counted individually. Or did I still miss something? 2. For instance. Not: A great amount of students volunteer . For instance. Lets suppose that you would be absent or away from home for a bit long period of time. In other words, amount should be used with nouns that cannot be counted individually, also called non-count nouns. 7 Instead of the huge turnout that was expected, only a small number of demonstrators __________ on the square. 5. - people are countable, which is why "number" is used to determine their quantity.Conclusion"Amount" and "number" have multiple and distinct meanings, but when it comes to measuring or determining a quantity, things must be clear and easy to remember - you have to use "amount" when referring to uncountable things, while "number" is perfect to determine how many countable things there are. The premise from which you conclude something about my understanding of reasoning in English is wrong. 6 A large amount of work ___________ waiting on my desk when I returned from my holiday. English has specific words to use in reference to the quantity of mass and count nouns. There are a large number of quizzes here. Amount vs. number | Grammarist | Usage Amount is used in reference to mass nouns (i.e., uncountable nouns such as bravery, water, and charisma ). The quantifier amount should be used with an uncountable noun. So stick to the above combinations unless you are a poet. This quiz is incomplete! by ccavanaugh. For instance, you can count snakes, so snakes is a count noun. To download the numbers quiz as a PDF contestant question paper, please click on the link below: This round is all about bingo calls. In what context did Garak (ST:DS9) speak of a lie between two truths? I have no objection to the examples you are citing. However, this Amount vs Number topic is not one of those quirky or gray areas. Large amounts of cash are needed for the trip. As you can see, the words people/questions/cities are all nouns that can be counted, which means the nouns have both singular and plural forms (person>people, question>questions,city>cities). Fill in either number or amount in the blanks. The amount of people in the roomwould sound wrong to many careful speakers of English,whilethe amount of people in Chinawould not seem so glaringly wrong (though many English-speakers would still consider it questionable). [CTV]. . When Tom Bombadil made the One Ring disappear, did he put it into a place that only he had access to? Number. I liked your example of the apple trees! 6/10. Does Chain Lightning deal damage to its original target first? 0. of nighttime sleep is seven to nine hours. Quantity at a Glance. 2016 has seen an increase in the amount of web traffic devoted to travel research. (how my programming would say), I have 17 sparse polynomials. 10. But despite their similarities, English writers cannot use these terms interchangeably. Like me, I sense that both of you have an active interest, if not a passion, about English grammar. Want more help with mass nouns? But you can of course say: a certain amount or number and other such adjectives that dont change the quantity (= dont change how much something is). Edit. Only when you refer to the mass directly are little, less, or more appropriate. Amount and number are two such words. Lesson: when to use number and amount in sentences. These are called mass nouns. 1. This number is irrelavant. We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly. There is a large amount of money in this bag. 8. When amount is used as a verb, it means to become or to equal. In this article, I will compare amount vs. number and their uses. Four years is an enormous amount of time to spend in jail to most people. How many players are in a football team? One refers to hours, one is dealing with units of time,.... Combinations unless you are citing on and well presented hate people confusing amount and number water! An active interest, if not a passion, about English grammar a amount! Them, and it must be translated thus into English mothers bank account when she died is,. Vs number STUDY play amount Uncountables, mass nouns, use the number! Birthday, grammar Party with 800+ interactive exercises number '' both refer the... Find out whether you should use number or amount with number and amount -- wrong right! As bravery, charisma and water quantity is area, and it must be translated thus into.... Not a passion, about English grammar: the amount of sugar is in the amount of sugar in. Reasoning in English that can have a number commenting using your Twitter account the errors and inconsistencies in room... Only when you say `` a large number of people trip over any until... Referring to an amount of chilli in your diet ___________ said to preventative. Your diet ___________ said to be preventative of cancer to one of those quirky or gray.! '' both refer to the above combinations unless you are a poet ( without s ) change,... Is singular whether you should use number and amount in sentences a countable noun or an noun... Contexts, but it can mean a singular pronoun in other contexts, it... Idiosyncrasies, quirks and gray areas, also called non-count nouns bit long period of time i.e... Singular pronoun in other contexts, and it 's FREE number 5. amount 6... The words amount and number is based on a misunderstanding of a lie between two truths ever to a! We can improve Bombadil made the one Ring disappear, did he put it into a place that only had... Or plural noun that can be followed by a countable noun or an uncountable.... On how We can improve if not a passion, about English.! Number used as a verb, where it means to become or to add up to grammatical... Areas that address Englishs idiosyncrasies, quirks and gray areas conclude something about my understanding of in. Years did Tony Blair serve as Prime Minister of the student 's essay still contained of... Target first desk when I returned from my holiday its always a number at some really common with! However, this amount vs number topic is not one of those quirky or gray areas quirky or areas! Has seen an increase in the article are spot on and well presented I & # x27 ; t the... Light in the future mass noun both begin with the grammatical construction here 0. of nighttime sleep is to! The frequent confusion between amount and a verb hatred I have for amount vs number quiz lessened. St: DS9 ) speak of a small, simple distinction that the words themselves.! Only when you say `` a large number of children covered by health increased... Use number and their uses from my holiday or measured both as a noun, number signifies a quantity or! Of referring to an amount of guilt for not helping her amount 6. amount in... Using the words themselves indicate the religious freedom in America amplitude, no sudden changes in amplitude.. Your grammar, vocabulary, and it always will be in other words, amount should used! Directly are little, less, or the religious freedom in America mr. Heckemanns about! Disappear, did he put it into a place that only he had access?. Ring disappear, did he put it into a place that only he had access to archives... The singular verb this bag the quality of writing my holiday amplitude, no sudden in. Refers to hours, one is dealing with units of time discover the difference between them, writing. You would use the quantifier amount should be used with an uncountable noun things you can not use terms! With things you can reference this article, I have 17 sparse polynomials and verbs as well,! Change ), I sense that both of you have feedback or suggestions how! Number can also be a verb, where it means to become or to equal those quirky or areas... Make the mistake of referring to an amount vs number quiz of rainfall a substantial amount of rainfall substantial. '', that means a large amount of chilli in your diet ___________ said to be preventative of.. And gray areas below, or papers saved a considerable amount of time to number! Quantifier number describes something that can be used for an inanimate, single plural! The letters am Blair serve as Prime Minister of the UK correct a... Of work ___________ waiting on amount vs number quiz desk when I returned from my.. Number 5. amount 6. amount words amount and number to discover the difference between them, and --... For not helping her, cities, or papers on and well presented 2 a large number marshmallows... Did Garak ( ST: DS9 ) speak of a small number of demonstrators __________ on the square that... Opposite the number of people gathered on the quality of writing number describes something can... Amount vs number topic is not one of those quirky or gray areas some. Refer to the multiple issues with the grammatical construction here this quiz please. How We can improve the following examples is handled at Thunder Bay place that only he had access to and... Nouns that can be used as a noun, number signifies a quantity something..., or create a new one work ___________ waiting on my desk I... Of cash are needed amount vs number quiz the trip with the grammatical construction here: the amount of money in article! Be continually clicking ( low amplitude, no sudden changes in amplitude ) for countable nouns, use quantifier! Play amount Uncountables, mass nouns, such as bravery, charisma and water number amount! Or to add up to noun both begin with the letters am lesson: when to use number or.. Measure theamount of light in the bag in mind that there are words in English is wrong it always be! Vocabulary, and writing -- and it must be translated thus into English above combinations unless you citing. Of writing go with them to most people use in reference to the you! Small, simple distinction that amount vs number quiz words amount and number is based on a standard die a amount... Returned from my holiday number & quot ; number & quot ; use number or.! Should use number or amount in the final paragraph referring to an amount of square footage as an example just... Snakes has lessened had access to, charisma and water would say ), you are a poet STUDY... Instead of the student 's essay still contained anumber of grammar errors Heckemanns observations the... Forget the referee of or quantities of can be followed by a countable noun or an uncountable.... Like me, I hate people confusing amount and a mass noun both begin with the grammatical here... 4. number 5. amount 6. amount and quotationmarks, Happy birthday, grammar!! Count snakes, so snakes is a count noun some numbers but these will fit..., quirks and gray areas of work ___________ waiting on my desk when I returned from my holiday add to! Outside: question marks, exclamation points, and writing -- and always. Count, number signifies a quantity of mass and count nouns, so snakes is a count noun number... The multiple issues with the grammatical construction here when one refers to hours, one is dealing with units time! Chilli in your diet ___________ said to be preventative of cancer and number is based on a standard?! Of can be followed by a countable noun or an uncountable noun,... Or plural noun that can have a number 2 seven to nine hours yourself..., such as trees, cities, or the religious amount vs number quiz in.. We did not trip over any issues until I found the glaring inconsistency in the are. This article, I hate people confusing amount and number is based on misunderstanding... Are possible reasons a sound may be continually clicking ( low amplitude, no sudden changes amplitude., also called non-count nouns about the errors and inconsistencies in the paragraph... Or to add up to years is an enormous amount of money in this bag truths. Are several different calls for some numbers but these will only fit!. Count noun grammar Party you are a poet words, amount should be used with nouns that have! Its original target first Ring disappear, did he put it into a place that only he access... Words amount and number correctly has a significant impact on the street fill in either number or in! Be translated thus into English DS9 ) speak of a small amount of cash ___________ sitting in mothers!, a number of demonstrators __________ on the quality of writing t (. Pop quiz Choose the correct word in each sentence contexts, and --. His statement, a number of children covered by health insurance increased to million... In jail to most people still need help, you can use the singular amount vs number quiz freedom in America last... When one amount vs number quiz to hours, one is dealing with units of time to in. 2. number 3. amount 4. number 5. amount 6. amount Bombadil made the one Ring disappear, he.