what is the quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is the quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the amount or number of something in various contexts, such as in business, science, or everyday conversation. Example: "Before we proceed with the order, can you please tell me what is the quantity of items we need?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This data helps us determine what is the quantity of water available to the population... and how best to use it".

BBC

Vegetation quality and quantity: What is the quantity and quality of vegetation in your pastures?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Each choice a plant makes is based on this type of calculation: what is the smallest quantity of resources that will serve to solve the problem?" Mancuso and Viola write in their book.

The Guardian

If yes, what cargo is best negotiable and what is the best quantity agreeable to both sides?

Journal of Shipping and Trade

What is the precious quantity that we stand to lose, that keeps so many people with radical concerns from doing something radical?

Huffington Post

What is the nature, quantity, and direction of this relation?

Environmental Health Perspectives

What is the maximal qualitative (complexity) and quantity (load/overload) of a schema?

Advances in Health Sciences Education

What is the most precious aspect of survival — quantity of life spent with toxicity of treatment, or quality of life spent with friends and family in a meaningful fashion?

The New York Times

Even though mothers may know that factors such as quality, quantity, and variety are important to a healthy diet, it is possible to think that they are not always able to identify what kind of food are really healthy, what are the appropriate quantities recommended for themselves or their children, and how varied a diet should be to be effectively considered healthy.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

What are the relative quantities of chemical nutrients it requires for growth?

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Clearly, insemination quantity has profound effects on queens, but what are the mechanisms by which insemination quantity triggers these changes in queen honey bees?

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When inquiring about the size or amount of something, use "what is the quantity" to maintain a formal and clear tone. This phrase is suitable for reports, analyses, and other professional settings.

Common error

Be careful not to use "what is the quantity" when you actually want to know about the characteristics or attributes of something. "Quantity" refers to the amount or number, while "quality" refers to its features or degree of excellence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "what is the quantity" is to serve as an interrogative phrase. It introduces a question seeking to determine the numerical or measurable extent of something. As demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, this phrase directly requests information about the amount of a particular item or substance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what is the quantity" is a grammatically correct and usable interrogative phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig. It serves to directly inquire about the amount or number of something, fitting well in formal contexts, especially in news, science, and wiki environments. While appropriate for precise inquiries, it's important not to confuse "quantity" with "quality". When a more casual inquiry is suitable, consider using alternatives like "how much is there".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the amount

Replaces "quantity" with "amount", focusing on the measure of something.

what is the volume

Substitutes "quantity" with "volume", highlighting the space occupied.

what is the extent

Uses "extent" instead of "quantity", emphasizing the range or scope.

what is the magnitude

Replaces "quantity" with "magnitude", focusing on the size or importance.

what is the measure

Employs "measure" instead of "quantity", emphasizing the specific unit.

how much is there

Rephrases the question to focus on the total amount available.

what is the sum total

Uses "sum total" for "quantity", indicating the aggregate amount.

what is the numerical value

Focuses on the numeric aspect of the quantity, emphasizing precision.

what is the level

Employs "level" instead of "quantity", highlighting a relative position on a scale.

what is the quota

Replaces "quantity" with "quota", pinpointing a prescribed amount.

FAQs

How can I use "what is the quantity" in a sentence?

You can use "what is the quantity" to inquire about the amount or number of something. For example, "Before we proceed with the order, can you tell me what is the quantity of items we need?"

What's the difference between "what is the quantity" and "what is the amount"?

While both phrases inquire about the measure of something, "what is the quantity" is generally used to request a precise number or measurement, whereas "what is the amount" can refer to a more general or approximate measure.

Is "what is the quantity" formal or informal?

"What is the quantity" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, or technical contexts. In casual conversation, alternatives like "how much is there" or "how many are there" might be more appropriate.

When should I use "what is the number" instead of "what is the quantity"?

Use "what is the number" when you specifically want to know the count of discrete items. Use "what is the quantity" when you're inquiring about a measured amount, which could be continuous (like volume or weight) or discrete.