what quantity to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what quantity to" is not standard in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used in a context where someone is asking for clarification on the amount or number of something to be used or considered. Example: "Can you clarify what quantity to use for the recipe?"

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A parent commented on the positive effect of the nutritional assessment on her child: Female Parent, School C, 2010 11 " "[My son] was under weight, [the SHC] gave us a chart in which it is written what to eat and in what quantity to eat, and my son is following this.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In this context, they decide on where and how much to invest, what quantities to produce, which products to absorb the investment overhead, what product amounts to export and how to price the products.

Business Research

Determine what quantity of herbs to grow indoors.

WikiHow

Therefore, it is essential to consult with your doctor before starting a glutamine supplement, as he or she can tell you whether this form of treatment is worth pursuing and can advise you on what quantity of glutamine to take.[4].

WikiHow

"It is absolutely unclear who used the stuff, in what quantities and to what effect," said a British official.

The New York Times

This is particularly important in conservation biology when we wish to know not only that an interaction occurred, for example did the shrew eat beetle species A, but how often and in what quantities relative to other prey.

Evolutionary Applications

Joseph LaComme 'at a time when he could neither read nor write being desirous to ascertain what quantity of stones would be required to prove a circular reservoir he had constructed, consulted a mathematics professor.

Advances in Difference Equations

Though he did not specify what was leaking, or in what quantity, he ordered BP to provide more detailed information on its monitoring procedures.

Independent

In this regards, it has been reported that, the administration of antimicrobials via medicated feed or drinking water (case in the present study) lead to imprecise dosing, as animals can choose what quantity of feed or water to consume, and potentially increase selection for antimicrobial resistance (Love et al. 2011).

International Journal of Food Contamination

In these cases, antimicrobials are usually administered via medicated feed or drinking water on a herd- or flock-wide basis, leading to imprecise dosing when animals can choose what quantity of feed or water to consume and potentially enhancing selection for AMR [ 10].

Globalization and Health

In the 1997 book "The Number Sense," Dehaene wrote, "He appears to know right from the start what quantities he wishes to express, but reciting the number series seems to be his only means of retrieving the corresponding word".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking about a measurable amount, prefer using "how much to" as it is generally more common and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "what quantity to" in casual conversations. In less formal settings, phrases like "how much to" or "how many to" sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what quantity to" functions as an interrogative phrase seeking information about the amount of something needed or required. Ludwig identifies that the phrasing is understandable, but it's not the most common way to express this idea.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what quantity to" is used to inquire about the amount of something needed. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig identifies it as not the most common way to phrase this question. Alternatives like "how much to" or "how many to" are often preferred for clarity and naturalness. Usage contexts include science, news, and formal settings. When writing, prioritize clarity and consider the audience to determine the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how much to

Replaces "what quantity" with the more common phrase "how much".

what amount to

Substitutes "quantity" with the synonym "amount".

how many to

Used when referring to countable items instead of a general amount.

what volume to

Replaces "quantity" with "volume", implying a measurable space or capacity.

to what extent to

Shifts the focus to the degree or scope of something.

what proportion to

Focuses on the relative size or ratio of something.

what dose to

Specifically refers to the amount of medication or substance to administer.

what level to

Indicates the degree or stage to which something should be raised or lowered.

what measure to

Suggests a standard unit used for quantification.

what degree to

Emphasizes the intensity or level to which an action or state should be pursued.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what quantity to" for better clarity?

To improve clarity, consider using "how much to", "what amount to", or "how many to" depending on whether you are referring to a mass noun or countable items.

Is "what quantity to" grammatically correct?

While grammatically understandable, "what quantity to" is not the most common or natural phrasing. It's generally better to use alternatives like "how much to" or "how many to".

In what situations might I use "what quantity to"?

You might encounter "what quantity to" in specific technical or formal contexts where precise quantification is important. However, in most everyday scenarios, alternative phrasings are preferred.

What's the difference between "what quantity to" and "how much to"?

"What quantity to" is less frequently used than "how much to". The latter is a more common and natural way to ask about the amount of something.