by what amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by what amount" is correct and commonly used in written English, particularly in financial or quantitative contexts.
It is used to inquire about the specific quantity or degree of something, usually in comparison to another quantity or degree. Example: "Please provide us with a breakdown of your expenses, specifically by what amount was spent on travel and by what amount was spent on supplies." Another example: "By what amount did the company's profits increase from last quarter?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Yangon, the main city, open-top trucks tour the streets to be drenched by what amount to water-cannon fired from temporary road-side pavilions sponsored by local businesses.As each day lurches on, Myanmar's drenchers and drenchees alike lose most of their inhibitions and all of their sobriety.

The Economist

"I can't tell you by what amount and which program, but all of it is going to be going down," he sputtered on The Today Show.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

For much of the past 10 years Iran has been ruled by what amounts to two governments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Author is not happy so see rock replaced by what amounts to a mystique of musicianship.

The New Yorker

But it's needlessly complicated by what amounts to nostalgia for a premodern university.

The New Yorker

Yesterday Lord Dyson ruled that a politician cannot overrule the findings of a court by what amounts to ministerial fiat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neoforma said it was still unclear whether its books would have to be revised, and if so, by what amounts.

The New York Times

He has a shoestring organisation elsewhere, and other states are less likely to be impressed by what amounts to a cheeky insurgency.

The Economist

With the authority to wring some excitement out of a four-day deluge interrupted by what amounted to a lavishly produced exhibition, the captains Fred Couples and Nick Price whiffed.

The New York Times - Sports

On May 19th, his latest effort to introduce a directive on corporate takeovers was stymied by what amounted to pork-barrel politics.

The Economist

Bear Stearns, after all, was done in by what amounted to a run on the bank (which Bear, through its own mismanagement, was ill equipped to handle).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by what amount" when you need to know the precise numerical difference or change between two values, especially in formal or financial contexts. For instance, ask: "By what amount did the budget exceed expectations?" to seek a specific figure.

Common error

Avoid using "by what amount" in casual conversations or informal writing. Phrases like "how much" or "to what extent" are often more appropriate and sound less stilted in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by what amount" functions as an interrogative adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to inquire about the quantity or degree by which something changes or differs. It is used to seek specific numerical or quantitative information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by what amount" is an interrogative construction used to request information about a specific quantity or degree of change. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It's predominantly used in news and media contexts to inquire about quantifiable differences, such as financial changes or statistical variations. While grammatically sound, "by what amount" should be used judiciously, favoring simpler alternatives in informal settings. Based on Ludwig AI analysis, the phrase sees primary use in news, with less common usage in encyclopedias. Therefore, while "by what amount" is correct, understanding its formal tone is crucial for appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by what quantity

More directly asks for a numerical value.

by what margin

Implies a difference or gap between two values.

to what degree

Focuses on the extent or level of something, rather than a specific quantity.

what is the increase

Specifically asks about the amount of growth or addition.

what is the reduction

Specifically asks about the amount of decrease or subtraction.

how much

A simpler, more common way to inquire about an amount.

how significantly

Focuses on the importance or impact of the amount.

what is the extent

Asks about the range or scope of something.

what is the measure

Seeks to determine the size or quantity.

to what volume

Relates to bulk or capacity.

FAQs

How can I use "by what amount" in a sentence?

Use "by what amount" to ask for a specific numerical difference or change. For example, "By what amount did sales increase this quarter?" or "By what amount is this invoice different from the previous one?"

What phrases are similar to "by what amount"?

You can use alternatives like "how much", "to what degree", or "by what quantity" to inquire about an amount or difference.

Is "by what amount" formal or informal?

"By what amount" is generally considered a formal phrase. Simpler alternatives, such as "how much", may be more suitable for informal contexts.

What is the difference between "by what amount" and "what amount"?

"By what amount" is used as an interrogative phrase in asking a direct question about quantity. Whereas "what amount" is used as a general reference to quantity. For example, "By what amount did costs increase?" versus "What amount of sugar is needed for the recipe?"