Of course you could! Here goes:
Number vs amount: top tips to remember which is which
Number vs amount: this simple tip will help you remember the difference
To start with, it can help to know that things you can count are called count nouns, and things you can’t count are called mass nouns.
Use AMOUNT for things you can’t count (mass nouns):
- the amount of rain
- the amount of information
- the amount of coffee
Use NUMBER for things you can count (count nouns)
- the number of rainy days
- the number of facts
- the number of cups of coffee
Simple as that: if you can count it, use NUMBER. If you can’t, use AMOUNT.
Did you know?
The same rule applies for LESS and FEWER, which are equally commonly confused.
Bonus tip
Once you know this, you can apply the same logic to MANY and MUCH.
Use MANY for things you can count, and MUCH for things you can’t.
For example:
- Using too MANY words can confuse your message.
- Too MUCH confusion can prevent customers from buying your products.

Number vs amount: simple tips to remember the difference
Coming soon: The Little Book of Confusables
Wouldn’t you love a handy guide to those tricksy spellings that trip you up and make you look bad? Words like PRACTICE and PRACTISE, AFFECT and EFFECT, or IMPLY and INFER.
The Little Book of Confusables shares simple, memorable spelling tips and examples for more than 500 of the words you find most confusing. Supercharge your vocabulary and avoid embarrassing mistakes! Sign up to my monthly newsletter for updates.