quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'quantity' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an amount of something. For example, "I need to buy a large quantity of apples for the party tomorrow".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Beyond anecdote, we know very little about what kind and quantity of information is being delisted from search results, what sources are being delisted and on what scale, what kinds of requests fail and in what proportion, and what are Google's guidelines in striking the balance between individual privacy and freedom of expression interests.

The Guardian - Tech

Ukip want to control the quantity and quality of people who come".

The Guardian

This meant that wine growers simply had to change their way of thinking; they had to concentrate on quality rather than quantity of their grapes.

The Guardian

Eleanor Baylis, of Take the flour back, said: "We have no information about this incident, but are relieved if the quantity of GM pollen released from the trial has been reduced".

The Guardian

Instead of stirring the rice to release its creamy starch, as one would with risotto, the grains are left alone, so "the rice retains its 'soul', its inner shape", but, "by boiling it in the right quantity of stock or water it will absorb all the liquid as it cools down gently, and by the time it is completely cold it will be very sticky".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is alleged that the men plotted together to enter Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company in London's Hatton Garden and steal a quantity of jewellery and other items.

The Guardian

fewer means smaller in number, eg fewer coins; less means smaller in quantity, eg less money Ffestiniog fiance male, fiancee female; but note divorcee is both male and female Fianna Fáil Irish political party fiasco like debacle and farce, overused in news stories: who says it's a fiasco?

The Guardian

In April both the quantity and the price fell.

The Guardian - Business

A: Unfortunately, the huge (and growing) quantity of user content on the Guardian website means that we can't enter into correspondence regarding specific moderation activity, although all correspondence will be read.

The Guardian

On the one hand, residents are being encouraged to cycle more and help make the capital a safer place by reducing the quantity of carbon monoxide-producing vehicles on the roads.

The Guardian

The economy was going well, noted his Sheffield Hallam constituent, a 53-year-old quantity surveyor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quantity" to refer to measurable amounts, and choose more descriptive terms when specific types of measurement are relevant (e.g. "volume" for liquids, "count" for discrete items).

Common error

Avoid using "quantity" when "number" is more appropriate. "Quantity" refers to a mass or amount, while "number" refers to a countable amount. For example, use "the number of students" instead of "the quantity of students".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "quantity" is as a noun. It refers to an amount or number of something, either specific or indefinite. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, such as "the quantity of information" or "a large quantity of jewellery".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Lifestyle

13%

Travel

1%

Opinion

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "quantity" functions primarily as a noun to denote an amount or number of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is considered grammatically correct and versatile in written English. The term appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using "quantity", it is crucial to differentiate it from "number" (countable vs. non-countable nouns) and to define its parameters clearly when contrasted with "quality". Alternatives such as "amount", "volume", and "extent" may be suitable depending on the context. In summary, "quantity" is a common and valuable term for expressing measurable or indefinite amounts across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amount

A general term for how much of something there is.

volume

Refers to the amount of space that a substance or object occupies.

extent

The degree to which something reaches.

size

Indicates the overall dimensions or magnitude.

number

A total amount or count.

portion

A part or share of a whole.

measure

A standard unit or basis for comparison.

degree

The extent, measure, or scope of something.

bulk

The mass or size of something large.

share

A part or portion belonging to or contributed by a person or group.

FAQs

How to use "quantity" in a sentence?

You can use "quantity" to refer to an amount of something. For example, "The recipe requires a small "amount" of salt."

What can I say instead of "quantity"?

You can use alternatives like "amount", "volume", or "extent" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "quantity of" or "number of"?

"Quantity of" is used with non-countable nouns, while "number of" is used with countable nouns. For instance, "quantity of water" is correct, while "number of books" is correct.

What's the difference between "quantity" and "quality"?

"Quantity" refers to the amount or number of something, while "quality" refers to its characteristics or how good it is. They are often contrasted, such as prioritizing "quality" over "quantity".