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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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total amount of items

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"total amount of items" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the total number of items. For example: "The total amount of items in the store is 500."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Should GNM request, the Client shall provide GNM with a monthly report containing a count and description (including the author name(s)) of the total amount of items from the Services published in the Client Services in accordance with this Agreement in the preceding month.

News & Media

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The final score in Table  1 represents the amount of quality items on which a positive score was agreed given the total amount of applicable items (details of scoring available upon request).

No public official could provide the total amount of member items in the budget — it is one of Albany's mysteries.

News & Media

The New York Times

There were also significantly higher implementation levels of the provided total amount of e-learning items (Fig.  1), as well as of the general existence of e-learning offers in the disciplines of medical schools (Fig.  2).

As D2 scores can better compensate for differences in the total amount of exploration of the items, the D1 scores are only reported when they differ qualitatively from the D2 scores.

Even though number of items and total amount of resource gained frequently correlate, sometimes this does not occur, for example when there is a large variation in the size of food items.

Science

Plosone

The total amount of questionnaires with occasional missing items for all measures during all assessments were n = 7.

Currently, there is no cap on the total amount of deductions a taxpayer can claim for items like mortgage interest, charitable deductions and state and local taxes.

News & Media

The New York Times

Estimate the total amount of money you will spend on these items.

Each character can carry a limited amount of items.

Decide upon the minimal amount of items needed to live.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting the results of a count, always specify the units of measure (e.g., items, units, pieces) to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For instance, state "the total amount of items was 25 units" instead of "the total amount of items was 25".

Common error

Avoid using "amount" when referring to countable items; use "number" instead. "Amount" is more appropriate for non-countable substances. Correct: "the total number of items"; Incorrect: "the total amount of items".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total amount of items" functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object within a sentence, indicating the aggregate quantity of individual items. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, despite potential debates over "amount" vs. "number".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

28%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "total amount of items" is a functional noun phrase used to express the overall quantity of countable objects. While grammatical purists might suggest "number" instead of "amount", Ludwig confirms the phrase is correct and applicable in various contexts. Its usage spans from scientific literature to news articles, showing versatility. To ensure clarity, always specify the units being measured. While other similar alternatives exist, it is most appropriate to use "number" in this context.

FAQs

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

Use "total number of items" when referring to countable objects. "Total amount of items" is generally considered incorrect because "amount" is better suited for non-countable things. However, based on context, you can try "aggregate number of items" or "combined quantity of items".

What are some alternatives to "total amount of items" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, consider using "aggregate number of items" or "combined quantity of items". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while accurately conveying the quantity of countable objects.

Is it grammatically correct to say "total amount of items"?

While commonly used, "total amount of items" is technically less accurate than "total number of items" because "amount" is best used for non-countable nouns. However, as Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, depending on context.

How does the context affect the choice of phrasing when discussing the quantity of items?

The context determines whether you should use more formal or informal phrasing. In reports, academic papers or business, use the phrase "combined quantity of items". In casual conversation, use something like: "aggregate number of items", but remember that number is typically used for countable objects.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: