0
Taka Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Amount

The number of people living there is decreasing.

Without 'the number of', it wouldn't make sense.

People living there is decreasing.(??)

Then what about these?

The amount of water in the pond is decreasing.
The amount of air in that room is decreasing.

WIthout 'the amount of', they wouldn't make sense either?

The water in the pond is decreasing.
The air in that room is decreasing.
  

Top answer

Yes, "The number of" is necessary. ) "Amount" is also necessary. The population is decreasing.

— Avangi

  • Yes, "The number of" is necessary.
  • ) "Amount" is also necessary.
  • The population is decreasing.
  • The level of water is decreasing.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
Yes, "The number of" is necessary. ("Number" can be singular or plural, by the way.)

"Amount" is also necessary.

The population is decreasing.
The level of water is decreasing.
0
0
Good.

Just out of interest. Could you tell me why you think 'population' works on its own unlike the other examples?
0
0
It's a scalar - a quantity. (It can have a number.)

Rgdz, - A.
0

Related Questions