Amount vs number

[TheDustyZebra]

I don't think that amount/number is one of the things I shout at the TV about (such as less/fewer), but I am pedantic about my own usage of the terms. I think. I may have slipped on it, myself, on occasion -- I could see it happening in the case of one of those collections that is technically countable but not likely ever to be counted, such as the sand or the molecules.

On the other hand, "number of grains of sand" vs "amount of sand" are debatable constructions. If I were talking about the sand in my bathing suit, it would be an amount I was thinking of, rather than grains, although just thinking about it makes me feel every grain individually. If it blew into my house, I would say "look at all this sand", not "look at all those grains of sand".

I believe that I think of those in the same way as the "group rule", i.e. "the flock of birds is going south" because they are a collective even though they are multiple birds. The molecules, or grains of sand, are a collective unless you are specifically dealing with them individually.

And now Hex hates me.

 

[Hex]

I don't hate you!

I would only hate you if you said, "Look at the amount of birds flying past!" (or equivalent). Then, I would hunt you down with a pointy stick, yea until the very ends of the world, and there would be NO MERCY.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I saw a decent amount of pigeons today. In the sky. Flying.

 

[Mouse]

Trying to think if I ever use 'amount' and I think it depends on context. For example I'd say (and have said very recently at work) 'Look at the amount of crap* on my desk.'

Whereas, using Hex's bird example, I'd say 'Look at all they birds flying past!'

Can't think when I'd use 'number.'

*may have used stronger word.

 

[Hex]

Oh, springs. You disappoint me.

(Please ignore the scratching noises. I'm just sharpening my stick)

@Mouse: Yey! Amount of crap is fine. Amount of craps would not be fine. Also it would be a truly disgusting desk.

 

[Mouse]

Thinking about it, I'd never say 'amount of people.' It doesn't even sound right! Look at me with my awesome grammar and I didn't even know it.

 

[David Evil Overlord]

It would also depend on the characters, Hex. Frex, I have two characters:

The first is a very intelligent engineering type, and she says things like, "...approximately 2135.327 metres." Very pedantic about her numbers.

The second is more mathematically declined. She'll say things like, "...so that's a whole bunch of metres, then."

Both are modern young women, so they say things. They do not ejaculate.

 

[jastius]

hex? flock for the birdies?

mouse i would have to say that crap is defined by its volume.. sheer tonnage. clearly an amount uncountable.

though if you were to take it a step further, hex, and presume every pigeon is a fertilizer farm on wings.. couldn't they be counted as a tonnage flight of possible crap bombardment?

hex do you want to borrow a pencil sharpener for your stick?

DEO.... ummm no comment.... i do not tangle with a man with a loaded happyface..
( worse then blinking pigeons...)

 

[Ursa major]

If a mounting number of people don't know the difference between fewer and less - or between amount and number - we ought to recognise this, at least in our dialogue (and even in narrative if we're writing close to a PoV character who is, apparently, a pedant's nightmare**).







** - Always assuming that pedants would rather there weren't people needing to be put right.

 

[Hex]

That's fair enough. The Pevensies are quite proper, though, in general, which was why I wondered what was going on.

While I'm on the subject of things-I-have-noticed-but-didn't-know, can you start a list with a semicolon?

@TDZ -- you made me laugh out loud and totally ruined my mysteriously cloaked persona. Poo.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

;First, no; second, that is, after the first thing, yes, I think so. If it's a semicolon sort of list. I don't often use them that way, myself, though, so I could be wrong.

 

[Ursa major]

While I'm on the subject of things-I-have-noticed-but-didn't-know, can you start a list with a semicolon?

Only if you want your soul to burn in one of the nastier circles of hell for eternity. Possibly.


What's the context?

 

[Hex]

I can't remember :s I just know I've seen it and twitched, and then wondered.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

No. Even me, semi-colon woman says it is wrong. Colon, then semis. I loves me those lists. and if was me, finish sharpening the stick.