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Learn how to correctly use amount and number with singular and plural nouns, as well as when to use fewer, less, between, and among in various contexts. Improve your grammar skills with clear examples and guidelines!
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Diction:Amount and number, Fewer and Less, Between and Among From the UWF Writing Lab’s 101 Grammar Mini-Lessons Series Mini-Lesson #54
Use amount with singular (mass) nouns.Use number with plural (countable) nouns. • A large amount of work • A number of classes
Examples: • amount of credit • a small amount of dough • amount of competitiveness • the number of doughnuts • a large number of employees • number of competitors
Less should be used with mass nouns or general amounts.Fewer, like number, should be used with plural (countable) nouns. • Less tar per cigarette • Fewer cigarettes per pack
More examples: • Fewer items • Fewer crimes • Fewer people • Fewer arguments • Fewer bills • Fewer calories • Less time • Less punishment • Less progress • Less paper • Less money • Less fat
In general, between is used for relationships involving only two people or things or for comparing one thing to a group to which it belongs. Among is used for relationships involving more than two people or things. • Don and Thomas had only three dollars between them. • An agreement was made among the club members.
More examples • There will be a fifteen-minute intermission between Acts I and II. • The friendship between me and him has ended. • There is a silent closeness among the family members.