"amounts of" vs "amount to"

Question

"amounts of" vs "amount to"

Both "amounts of" and "amount to" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Amounts of" is used when referring to quantities or numbers of something, while "amount to" is used to indicate a total or final sum or result.

Last Updated: March 29, 2024

Use "amounts of" when you want to specify the quantities or numbers of a particular item or substance. It is often followed by a noun.

Examples:

There are large amounts of sugar in this recipe.
She consumed vast amounts of water during the marathon.
The study found significant amounts of pollution in the river.
We need to measure the amounts of ingredients for the cake.
There are small amounts of money left in the budget.

Alternatives:

quantities of
numbers of
volumes of
portions of
lots of

Use "amount to" when you want to express a total or final sum, especially in financial or numerical contexts.

Examples:

The expenses amount to $500.
His actions amount to a betrayal of trust.
The damages amount to a significant loss for the company.
The total sales amount to $1 million.
The donations amount to a generous contribution.

Alternatives:

add up to
total up to
come to
equal
sum up to

Answer 1

amounts of

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to quantities or numbers of something.

Answer 2

amount to

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a total or final sum or result.

"amounts of" vs "amount to"

amounts of

amount to

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