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.

Get more tips in The Little Book of Confusables