the amount of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the amount of things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity of items or objects in a general sense. Example: "The amount of things we need to pack for the trip is overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The amount of things people sent in amazed me.

Independent

It's amazing the amount of things you don't even realise you're missing.

The Guardian - Travel

People don't realise the amount of things we have to deal with at our level".

Independent

The amount of things there are to do, not just in the city, but across the country!

The Guardian

"I've probably put about £5m on his transfer with the amount of things I've said about him," Cole said.

The Guardian - Sport

It was absolutely unbelievable the amount of things that transpired as a spin-off from the Final Four.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

I had to carry all of my unused tools around as dead weight, limiting the amount of other things that I could lug around.

Vice

Try spotting the amount of interesting things in each episode.

WikiHow

Signs will decrease the amount of gross things occurring in the bathroom.

WikiHow

The amount of each thing you hear depends on where you stand.

Vice

The trick, says the fast-talking Mr. Bumbery, is to do "the most amount of things you can do in the least amount of moves".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing countable items, consider using "number" instead of "amount" for greater precision. For example, prefer "the number of books" over "the amount of books".

Common error

Avoid using "the amount of things" excessively in formal writing. More precise alternatives such as "the quantity of items" or "the number of objects" may be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the amount of things" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a determiner of quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and indicates a general measurement of items or objects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the amount of things" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing a general quantity or measure. As noted by Ludwig, it is generally correct. It appears most often in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for broad communication. While versatile, remember to consider more precise alternatives like "the number of items" or "the quantity of possessions" for enhanced clarity, especially in formal settings. Pay attention to countability – "number" is better for countable items, while "amount" suits non-countable measures. Despite its broad usability, be mindful of overuse and strive for more descriptive wording when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the quantity of items

Replaces "amount" with "quantity" and "things" with "items", offering a more formal tone.

the number of objects

Uses "number" instead of "amount", which is suitable for countable items, and replaces "things" with "objects".

a large quantity of possessions

Emphasizes a large quantity and specifies that the "things" are possessions.

a multitude of items

Conveys a sense of many items using "multitude" instead of a direct numerical measurement.

a great deal of stuff

Uses the less formal "stuff" instead of "things" and "a great deal" to indicate quantity.

the extent of belongings

Replaces "amount" with "extent" and specifies that the "things" are belongings.

the measure of objects

Uses "measure" in place of "amount", suggesting a more precise estimation.

the volume of goods

Indicates a substantial quantity of "goods", often used in a commercial context.

the sum of possessions

Refers to a collection or total of possessions using the term "sum".

the scale of material

Uses "scale" in place of "amount" to represent the size or extent of material items.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "the amount of things"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "the quantity of items" or "the number of objects", depending on whether you are referring to measurable or countable items. For example, you can say "the quantity of items" when referring to a general measurement.

How can I use "the amount of things" in a sentence?

You can use "the amount of things" to describe the quantity of objects, possessions, or items, particularly when the exact number isn't specified. For example: "I was amazed by the amount of things they had accumulated over the years."

Is it always correct to use "the amount of things", or are there better options?

While grammatically correct, "the amount of things" can sometimes be vague. Depending on the context, you might prefer more specific alternatives like "the number of items" or "the quantity of possessions".

What's the difference between "the amount of things" and "the number of things"?

"Amount" is generally used for non-countable nouns, while "number" is used for countable nouns. Therefore, "the number of things" is more appropriate when referring to items that can be individually counted. The term "the quantity of items" works well in many situations.