Sum and amount

Question

HiCan you please tell me the difference between:a sum of 100 dollars.an amount of 100 dollars.After googling this, I have seen many telling that they are effectively the same. Is there any difference?From the Oxford's:amount= a particular sum of moneysum= an amount of money.I am confused. Please help me out.Warm regardsPrajwal

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Can you please tell me the difference between: a sum of 100 dollars and an amount of 100 dollars. After googling this, I have seen many telling that they are effectively the same. Is there any difference?-- They are effectively the same.

Terryxpress · Answer

Firstly, you have it the wrong way round:
From the Oxford's:
~~amount~~ sum = a particular amount of money
~~sum~~ amount = a sum of money.

These days, 'sum' is most often used in legal circles, as in:

"You are hereby fined the sum of £100."

'sum' because the fine is a specific amount imposed for, say, illegal parking, or exceeding the speed limit but by less than 10 mph., etc.

In the old days, when gentlemen had an account with a tailor, then at the end of each month, he would receive his bill from the tailor. His bill would be, say, 'in the sum of £10 2s 6d' - 'sum' because the costs of the various items purchased were 'summed' to give the specific, total amount payable.

'amount' is used in a more general sense, as in,
"They spent an enormous amount refurbishing the mansion before moving in."

where 'amount' refers to 'a quantity of money', but not a specific figure.

And when talking about 'a quantity of money' generally.

So-

"You are hereby fined the sum of £100."

...and he had to pay the full amount within two weeks.

Prajwalkr · Answer

Thank you MM.

PRAJWAL

Prajwalkr · Answer

Thank you very much Terryexpress.

Prajwal

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