Amount / Number

Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:

AMOUNT / NUMBER

The noun amount should be used when referring to a bulk quantity. The noun number should be used when referring to a quantity that can be counted.

CORRECT: A large number of peas, beans, and noodles on the plate makes for a large amount of food to be eaten.

ALSO CORRECT: A large number of one-hundred-dollar bills comes to a great amount of money.

NOTE: Words like food and money are singular nouns that encompass an unknown quantity.

 © 2022 Ann Henry. All Rights Reserved.

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