amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'amount' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular quantity of something, such as money, time, or objects. For example, "She donated a large amount of money to the charity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The accountant's fees claimed were for preparing his office accounts to ensure the correct amount of tax was paid.

The Guardian

Exercise stimulates the growth and repair of cells in the hippocampus, and induces a more positive mood, making you less susceptible to stress and reducing the amount of cortisol released.

The Guardian

The British peer said the UN Relief and Works Agency had only a finite amount of food and other essential supplies, adding: "We were concerned that over time supplies were running out," prompting the agency and other UN agencies to launch an appeal to get more resources into the area.

The Guardian

Assistant treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced on Thursday that in next week's budget the government would cap the amount that public hospital staff and workers in the not-for-profit sector could claim in meals and entertainment entitlements.

The Guardian

Currently, those employees can use salary packaging to claim an unlimited amount for meals, alcohol, entertainment and even venue hire under fringe benefits tax (FBT) arrangements.

The Guardian

"If I were back in oil and gas, a comparable figure for the same amount of activity would be between 30 and 60 people – the difference is that stark.

The Guardian - Business

Even if each manager only has one challenge per half, that would still amount to four per game.

The Guardian - Sport

The BBC's 108 highest-paid bosses – including those on salaries of £150,000 or more – reduced the total amount of expenses they claimed in the first three quarters of this financial year by 14.1% compared with the equivalent period in 2009/10.

The Guardian

The Abbott government has said it will provide only $3.2bn for Direct Action – an amount independent modelling has found will be insufficient to meet even a 5% target – and no more money will be forthcoming.

The Guardian

We have women who are killed by their husbands but we don't have any legitimate terror offences... "Yet the amount of money put into negative policing and punitive measures has really soured relations between Muslim community and ramped up the sense of fear and isolation in the community".

The Guardian

Flows to developing countries reached a record high of $778bn, which makes them worth 54% of the worldwide amount.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "amount", ensure that the noun it modifies is non-countable (e.g., "amount of water", not "amount of cars").

Common error

Avoid using "amount" with countable nouns. Use "number" instead (e.g., "number of students", not "amount of students").

Linguistic Context

The word "amount" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a quantity or sum of something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to specify a total or aggregate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "amount" is a versatile noun used to describe the quantity or sum of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is widely used in various contexts, from news and media to business and scientific writing. Understanding when to use "amount" versus "number" is crucial for grammatical correctness; "amount" is reserved for non-countable nouns, while "number" is used for countable nouns. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use the word "amount" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quantity

Refers to a specific number or measure, similar to "amount" but can imply a more precise measurement.

quantity of

Similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

sum

Implies a total or aggregate, often used when combining multiple values.

volume

Refers specifically to the quantity of something in terms of space it occupies.

portion

Refers to a part or share of a whole, often used for food or resources.

degree

Used to describe the extent or intensity of something.

extent

Indicates the range or scope of something, often used in abstract contexts.

number

Refers to a count of discrete items, rather than a continuous quantity.

magnitude

Indicates the size or importance of something.

dosage

Specific to the quantity of medicine or drugs.

FAQs

How do I use "amount" in a sentence?

Use "amount" to refer to a quantity of something that cannot be counted. For example, "a large amount of rain" or "a small amount of sugar".

When should I use "amount" versus "number"?

Use "amount" for non-countable nouns (e.g., "amount of time") and "number" for countable nouns (e.g., "number of books"). Confusing them is a common mistake, so double-check your noun type.

What can I say instead of "a large amount of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "significant quantity of", "substantial volume of", or "considerable quantity of".

Is it correct to say "amount of people"?

No, it is not correct. You should use "number of people" because "people" is a countable noun. "Amount" is for non-countable nouns.