whatever amount

USAGE SUMMARY

"whatever amount" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to any unspecified quantity or amount of something. For example, "You can pay me whatever amount you'd like."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whatever amount that was.

The New York Times

The mutual fund that owns the Tangency Portfolio, and whatever amount of debt you want.

Yale University

Ms. Chugh can accommodate them, whatever amount of sparkle and shine they seek.

The New York Times

Please contribute $20, $50, or $100 or whatever amount you can.

The New York Times

"They want to get paid off," he said, whatever amount is possible.

The New York Times

The owner, Al Lerner, will match whatever amount is donated, and possibly more.

The New York Times - Sports

First, can you afford the income taxes you'll have to pay on whatever amount you convert?

The New York Times

Come up with a percent of gross sales you are willing to spend, or whatever amount seems reasonable to you.

Cornell University

And they are likely to get behind whatever amount of assistance and types of conditions the I.M.F.

The New York Times

They assert that they will have cap-and-trade, with a cap that reduces emissions by whatever amount is needed.

The Guardian

So, it seems that universities will be required to pay APCs of whatever amount key publishers choose to charge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whatever amount" when you want to express that the exact quantity is not important or is variable within a given context.

Common error

Avoid using "whatever amount" excessively in formal writing; consider specifying a range or providing more precise details for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whatever amount" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate an unspecified or variable quantity. As indicated by Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct and broadly applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science & Research

5%

HuffPost

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whatever amount" is a versatile phrase used to denote an unspecified quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently encountered in diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic settings. While precise language may be preferable in formal writing, this phrase is perfectly acceptable in many situations. Remember that alternatives like "any quantity" or "some quantity" can also be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some quantity

Offers a simpler alternative using "some" to indicate an indefinite amount.

any sum

Replaces "amount" with "sum", suitable when referring to money.

any quantity

Uses a more formal tone by substituting "whatever" with "any".

a certain quantity

Suggests a specific but unstated amount.

a particular amount

Similar to "a certain quantity", emphasizing specificity.

an unspecified quantity

Replaces "whatever" with a more precise and formal description, indicating lack of specificity.

a given quantity

Indicates that the quantity is pre-determined or assigned.

such quantity

More formal, replacing "whatever" with "such" to denote a quantity already mentioned or known.

a variable quantity

Emphasizes the changing nature of the amount using "variable".

an arbitrary amount

Highlights that the amount is chosen randomly or without a specific reason.

FAQs

How do I use "whatever amount" in a sentence?

Use "whatever amount" to refer to an unspecified or variable quantity. For example, "You can contribute "whatever amount" you're comfortable with".

What can I say instead of "whatever amount"?

Alternatives include "any quantity", "some quantity", or "an unspecified quantity depending on the context".

Is it correct to use "whatever amount" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, using a more precise term might enhance clarity in formal contexts. Consider specifying a range or providing more detailed information instead.

Can "whatever amount" be used for both countable and uncountable nouns?

"Whatever amount" is generally used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "whatever amount of time"). For countable nouns, consider using "whatever number" or "whatever quantity".