would amount to

USAGE SUMMARY

"would amount to" is a correct form of written English and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example, you could say: "His monthly donations to charity would amount to a considerable sum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(That penalty would amount to almost $800).

The New York Times - Sports

This would amount to a palace coup.

The Economist

Either would amount to a victory.

The Economist

This would amount to an institutional failure.

The New York Times

That would amount to five hundred sixty million dollars.

The New Yorker

Second, this would amount to state licensing.

The Guardian

But that would amount to regime change.

The Guardian

would amount to a series of bombproofs.

The New Yorker

That would amount to some legacy.

The Guardian

This would amount to a "Troika" regime.

The Telegraph

Olin College started with what would amount to institutional suicide.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would amount to" when you want to express the final result, consequence, or equivalent value of something. It is often used to quantify abstract concepts or emphasize the significance of an action or event.

Common error

Avoid using "amount to" directly with countable nouns without proper context. "Amount to" is best used with abstract nouns, sums of money, or measurable quantities. Instead of saying, "That would amount to three apples", use "That would be three apples" or "That would equal three apples".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would amount to" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a potential or conditional outcome, result, or equivalent. It indicates what something could or would become under certain circumstances. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its versatility in expressing consequences or calculated values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would amount to" is a versatile phrase used to express a potential outcome, equivalent value, or consequence. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, careful attention should be paid to avoid misuse with specific countable nouns. Related phrases like "would be equivalent to" and "would constitute" can offer more formal alternatives. Mastering the use of "would amount to" enhances clarity and precision in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be equivalent to

This alternative directly replaces "amount to" with "be equivalent to", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

would be equal to

This option uses "be equal to" instead of "amount to", focusing on numerical or measurable equivalence.

would constitute

This choice replaces "amount to" with "constitute", suggesting that the result would form or compose something.

would represent

This phrase indicates that the result would symbolize or stand for something else.

would translate to

This implies a conversion or transformation into something else, often used in contexts of effort or cost.

would come to

This alternative is more informal and suggests a final tally or outcome.

would add up to

Similar to "come to", this option emphasizes the cumulative effect leading to a total.

would signify

This highlights the meaning or importance of the result.

would entail

This focuses on the consequences or necessary conditions of something.

would approximate to

This suggests an estimated or rough equivalence, rather than an exact one.

FAQs

How can I use "would amount to" in a sentence?

You can use "would amount to" to express the resulting value, effect, or consequence of something. For example, "The total cost of the project "would amount to" $1 million" or "His actions "would amount to" a breach of contract".

What's the difference between "would amount to" and "would equal"?

"Would amount to" is often used for more abstract or significant outcomes, while "would equal" is typically used for direct numerical equivalencies. Saying "That "would amount to" a betrayal" carries more weight than "That "would equal" a betrayal".

Are there more formal alternatives to "would amount to"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include phrases like "would constitute", "would represent", or "would be tantamount to". These alternatives are suitable for professional and academic writing.

What are some common mistakes people make when using "would amount to"?

A common mistake is using "would amount to" with specific countable items instead of quantities. For example, instead of saying "That "would amount to" five books", it's better to say "That "would be" five books" or "That "would total" five books".