Key Difference

• “Number” is used for things you can count individually (countable nouns).
• “Amount” is used for things you measure as a whole rather than by individual units (uncountable nouns).

How to Use “Number”

When we use “number,” we’re referring to something that has individual units you can count. Think of items like books, cars, people, or tasks—each of these can be counted individually, so we use “number” to describe them.

Examples of “Number”

• “The number of students in the class has increased.” (We can count students individually.)
• “She was impressed by the number of books he owned.” (Books are individual items you can count.)

How to Use “Amount”

“Amount,” on the other hand, is used for things that don’t have individual, countable units. This includes items like water, sugar, time, or effort. These things are usually thought of as a whole, which we measure rather than count.

Examples of “Amount”

• “The amount of water in the lake is decreasing.” (We measure water as a whole, not in countable units.)
• “She put in a huge amount of effort to finish the project.” (Effort isn’t something we count individually.)

An Easy Analogy

Think of “number” like the guests at a party—each guest is an individual person, and you can count them one by one. Now, think of “amount” like the food or music at that party—these are things we typically think of in general terms and don’t count individually.

Quick Practice

Let’s test your understanding! Fill in the blanks with either “number” or “amount”:

1. The __________ of people who attended the concert was surprising.
2. She was pleased with the __________ of support she received.
3. The __________ of cars on the highway increases during rush hour.
4. The recipe calls for a small __________ of salt.

Answers

1. number
2. amount
3. number
4. amount