a reasonable amounts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable amounts" is not correct in English.
It should be "a reasonable amount" to be grammatically accurate. You can use it when referring to a single quantity that is considered fair or acceptable in a given context. Example: "We should allocate a reasonable amount of time for this project to ensure its success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The results indicate that PriorPC is robust to a reasonable amounts of noise.

BMC Systems Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A year ago, it would have seemed a reasonable amount for Mr. Blaichman.

The New York Times

"She sent a reasonable amount," he said.

Independent

Before: A reasonable amount of kitchenware.

The New Yorker

Plus, there is a reasonable amount of storage.

The New York Times

A reasonable amount at breakfast time, certainly, but hardly bottomless.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"What's a reasonable amount of LSD?" "Right," he smiles.

The Guardian - Books

I need a reasonable amount of sleep at night.

The New York Times

The record companies get a reasonable amount of money.

The New York Times - Tech

A reasonable amount of time to suggest is two weeks.

Harvard University

• A reasonable amount of common sense will simplify your planning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a reasonable amount" (singular) when referring to a single, non-countable entity. The correct phrase indicates a quantity that is fair, acceptable, or appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "amounts" with the article 'a'. "Amount" refers to a singular, non-countable quantity. Using "amounts" incorrectly suggests you're referring to multiple quantities when only one is intended. For example, instead of "a reasonable amounts of time", use "a reasonable amount of time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable amounts" is intended to function as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, specifying a quantity considered fair or acceptable. However, due to the grammatical error pointed out by Ludwig AI, it fails to fulfill this function correctly. The intended meaning is usually to express a single, non-countable quantity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a reasonable amounts" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "a reasonable amount". As Ludwig AI indicates, the error lies in the mismatch between the singular article 'a' and the plural noun 'amounts'. Although examples of its usage exist, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science, it should be avoided in formal writing. It's best to use grammatically sound alternatives such as "a fair amount" or "an adequate amount" to maintain clarity and professionalism. Remember to always match singular articles with singular nouns for grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable amount

Corrects the grammatical error by using the singular form 'amount' to match the singular article 'a'.

a fair amount

Replaces 'reasonable' with 'fair', offering a synonymous expression with similar connotations of acceptability and justice.

an adequate amount

Substitutes 'reasonable' with 'adequate', emphasizing sufficiency and meeting the necessary requirements.

a sufficient quantity

Replaces the entire phrase, using 'quantity' for a more formal tone and emphasizing that there is enough of something.

a considerable quantity

Emphasizes the largeness of the amount while maintaining the acceptability.

a good amount

Uses 'good' in place of 'reasonable', providing a more informal and general expression for a satisfactory quantity.

an appreciable amount

Replaces 'reasonable' with 'appreciable', highlighting that the amount is noticeable or significant.

a justifiable amount

Substitutes 'reasonable' with 'justifiable', suggesting that the amount is defensible or warranted.

a suitable amount

Replaces 'reasonable' with 'suitable', indicating that the amount is appropriate for a specific purpose or situation.

a tolerable amount

Emphasizes the endurable aspect, indicating how much quantity can be accepted.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "a reasonable amounts"?

The grammatically correct phrase is "a reasonable amount". "Amount" should be singular when used with the article 'a' because it refers to a non-countable quantity.

Can I use "a reasonable amounts" in any context?

No, "a reasonable amounts" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "a reasonable amount", which is used to describe a single quantity that is considered fair or acceptable.

What are some alternatives to "a reasonable amount"?

Alternatives include "a fair amount", "an adequate amount", or "a sufficient quantity", depending on the context. These phrases convey similar meanings of acceptability and sufficiency.

How does the meaning change if I use "amounts" instead of "amount"?

Using "amounts" implies multiple quantities, which changes the meaning. If you intend to refer to a single quantity, "a reasonable amount" is correct. If you are referring to multiple quantities, you would say "reasonable amounts" without the article 'a'.