amount of seconds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amount of seconds" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct term is "number of seconds," which is used to quantify a countable unit of time. Example: "The event lasted for a number of seconds before the lights went out."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

When a primary receiver was not open, Fouts looked to alternate receivers running routes designed by Coryell, who emphasized precision in having receivers arrive at designated spots in a designated amount of seconds.

The New York Times - Sports

Set yourself a target for a three-dart total and if you fall below it, do press ups for the amount of seconds you were under.

BBC

"You're not bound to a certain amount of seconds of action or drama," he says.

Los Angeles Times

An article in Disasters demonstrated a correlation in the amount of seconds allocated on prime time news to a particular disaster and the generosity of the response.

Huffington Post

Reading the same line over and over again, and to look up at the white ceiling and count out loud the amount of seconds left before you can disrupt your brain and make the explosions again.

Huffington Post

You can increase the amount of seconds that you squeeze those muscles each week.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

No amount of second-guessing can change that.

The New York Times

A certain amount of second-guessing has always been a part of Mr. Goldblum's life.

The New York Times - Arts

That almost creates a problem with the amount of first-class cricket he can play.

The Guardian - Sport

Ferris also sneaks in a fair amount of first-person singular.

The New York Times - Books

Three alumina-based ceramic feedstocks with different types and amount of second phases were developed.

Journal of the European Ceramic Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "number of seconds" instead of "amount of seconds" when referring to a countable quantity of time. This ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "amount of" with countable nouns like "seconds". "Amount of" is suitable for uncountable nouns (e.g. "amount of time"), whereas "number of" is correct for countable units (e.g. "number of seconds").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amount of seconds" functions as a noun phrase intended to quantify a duration. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The proper construction should use "number of seconds" when referring to countable units of time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

38%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "amount of seconds" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "number of seconds" because "seconds" are countable. Therefore, while the intention is clear, it's crucial to use the grammatically correct alternative in both formal and informal writing. The phrase occurs in news, wikis and science but it is better to use the correct grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

number of seconds

Replaces "amount" with the correct quantifier for countable units, "number".

total seconds

Focuses on the sum of the seconds, suitable when expressing a duration.

duration in seconds

Emphasizes the length of time, using "duration" for clarity.

period of seconds

Uses "period" to indicate an interval of time measured in seconds.

a few seconds

Indicates a small, unspecified quantity of seconds.

several seconds

Suggests more than a few, but still a relatively short duration.

certain seconds

Refers to specific, identifiable seconds within a timeframe.

specified seconds

Similar to "certain seconds", indicating pre-defined or designated seconds.

allotted seconds

Suggests seconds that have been allocated or assigned for a purpose.

count of seconds

Emphasizes the act of counting individual seconds.

FAQs

What is the correct way to quantify time in seconds?

Use "number of seconds" instead of "amount of seconds". The word "number" is used for countable items, while "amount" is for uncountable quantities.

Is "amount of seconds" grammatically correct?

No, "amount of seconds" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "number of seconds".

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

"Amount of" should be used with uncountable nouns (e.g. "amount of water"), while "number of" is used with countable nouns (e.g. "number of cars"). Therefore, use "number of seconds".

What are some alternatives to "amount of seconds"?

You can use phrases like "number of seconds", "total seconds", or "duration in seconds depending" on the context.