If you stop and think for a second, amount and number seem like they are pretty similar, right? Even native English-speakers have confused words like these. They are similar but they have a key difference in English grammar. The word number refers to something that can be counted or a “countable noun”; whereas the word amount is used for things that can’t be counted, or an “uncountable noun” that usually refers to a large amount or a large quantity of something.

Examples:

Amount: non-count noun/mass noun
1. It takes an immense amount of energy to wake up with two toddlers.
2. I thought that my life was going perfectly but things can get in the way a good amount of the time.
Number: countable noun
1. Can you count the number of people as they enter the conference room for me?
2. Believe it or not, my dog can count to 5.

What Is the Definition of the Word Amount?

the sum total of two or more quantities or sums; aggregate.
the sum of the principal and interest of a loan.
quantity; measure:
- a great amount of resistance.
- a great amount of work.
- There is a great amount of sugar in that coffee.
- There is a great amount of sand on the beach.
the full effect, value, or significance.
to total; add (usually followed by to):
- The repair bill amounts to $300.
to reach, extend, or be equal in number, quantity, effect, etc.; be equivalent (usually followed by to):
- It is stated differently but amounts to the same thing.
to develop into; become (usually followed by to):
- With his intelligence, he should amount to something when he grows up.

What Is the Definition of the Word Number?

a numeral or group of numerals.
the sum, total, count, or aggregate of a collection of units, or the like:
- A number of people were hurt in the accident. The number of homeless children in the city has risen alarmingly.
  - In most cases, saying the “amount of people” is incorrect unless it is an extremely large number.
- There are a number of things wrong with the situation.
a word or symbol, or a combination of words or symbols, used in counting or in noting a total.
the particular numeral assigned to an object so as to designate its place in a series:
- house number; license number.
one of a series of things distinguished by or marked with numerals.
a certain collection, company, or quantity not precisely reckoned, but usually considerable or large:
- I’ve gone there a number of times.
the full count of a collection or company.
a collection or company.
a quantity of individuals:
- Their number was more than 20,000.
a considerable amount or quantity; many:
- Numbers flocked to the city to see the parade.
metrical feet; verse.
musical periods, measures, or groups of notes.
numbers pool (def. 1).
Informal. the figures representing the actual cost, expense, profit, etc.:
- We won’t make a decision until we see the numbers.

Example Sentences of the Word Number in Context

Administration officials note that a number of former employees also have praised the president extensively and that the president has overwhelming support in his own party.
FORMER PENCE AIDE SAYS SHE WILL VOTE FOR BIDEN BECAUSE OF TRUMP’S ‘FLAT OUT DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE’ DURING PANDEMIC|JOSH DAWSEY|SEPTEMBER 17, 2020|WASHINGTON POST
By Sunday, that number will rise to nearly 20 states, including Wisconsin, Georgia, Indiana, Virginia and Rhode Island.
TRUMP, IN TOWN HALL, SAYS HE WOULDN’T HAVE DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY ON PANDEMIC|COLBY ITKOWITZ, JOSH DAWSEY, FELICIA SONMEZ, JOHN WAGNER|SEPTEMBER 16, 2020|WASHINGTON POST
Increasing numbers of rank-and-file Democrats are beginning to question that approach.
FRUSTRATED HOUSE DEMOCRATS PUSH FOR ACTION ON NEW ECONOMIC RELIEF BILL|ERICA WERNER|SEPTEMBER 15, 2020|WASHINGTON POST
Baron Cohen spoke to Kardashian West and helped attract a number of other celebrities, Steyer said.
KIM KARDASHIAN, KATY PERRY, AND LEONARDO DICAPRIO PLAN ONE-DAY INSTAGRAM BOYCOTT. HERE’S WHY|DANIELLE ABRIL|SEPTEMBER 15, 2020|FORTUNE
The exact number of people posting the messages was not clear.
PRO-TRUMP YOUTH GROUP ENLISTS TEENS IN SECRETIVE CAMPAIGN LIKENED TO A ‘TROLL FARM,’ PROMPTING REBUKE BY FACEBOOK AND TWITTER|ISAAC STANLEY-BECKER|SEPTEMBER 15, 2020|WASHINGTON POST

Examples of the Word Amount in Context

So I started to think about anything in my life that would be worth people giving it any amount of time.
PATTON OSWALT ON FIGHTING CONSERVATIVES WITH SATIRE|WILLIAM O’CONNOR|JANUARY 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The number of diplomats was pitiful (45 appointees in 1860), as was the amount of money allocated to them.
U.S. EMBASSIES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FOR SALE|WILLIAM O’CONNOR|JANUARY 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The amount of vanished bitcoins was 650,000 BTC (or 24.7 billion yen).
JAPANESE BITCOIN HEIST ‘AN INSIDE JOB,’ NOT HACKERS ALONE|NATHALIE-KYOKO STUCKY, JAKE ADELSTEIN|JANUARY 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They are afflicted with “progressive spiritual emptiness,” he said, which no amount of academic honors and degrees can fill.
POPE FRANCIS DENOUNCES THE VATICAN ELITE’S ‘SPIRITUAL ALZHEIMER’S’|BARBIE LATZA NADEAU|DECEMBER 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But this is far from an amount that makes commercial imports possible.
WHY CONGRESS HATES YOUR CUBAN RUM|TIM MAK|DECEMBER 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In any case some allowance should be made for the amount of nitrogen collected by the legumes.
THE PECAN AND ITS CULTURE|H. HAROLD HUME
“The amount altogether is, you perceive, eleven hundred pounds,” he continued.
VERNER’S PRIDE|MRS. HENRY WOOD

Summary

I hope that you now are well-versed in the differences between the words amount and number in English.

Sources:

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

Amount vs. Number: What’s The Difference?

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What Is the Definition of the Word Amount?

What Is the Definition of the Word Number?

Example Sentences of the Word Number in Context

Examples of the Word Amount in Context

Summary

Sources:

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