We all know that Microsoft doesn't actually make computers. It makes the software, and then lets an almost infinite amount of manufacturers build computers that can run its software. These manufacturers often make a mess of things, delivering computers filled to the brim with crapware. What would happen if Microsoft made computers? Well, for one, they would be void of crapware. Two, they would help users install the software they want before leaving the store - including software from competitors.
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Member since:2007-01-18
It all comes down to whether you can stick a number in front of it. You can have 5 computers, or infinite computers, so you talk about the number of computers. If you have sand, you can't have 5 sands or infinite sands, so you can't talk about the number of sands. Instead, you talk about the amount of sand (at which point it would be infinite sand, not infinite sands).
Now, you can talk about 5 grains of sand or infinite grains of sand, so it's the number of grains, not amount of grains, even though it would be amount of sand.
In any case, all grammar - English or otherwise - can get quite complicated, though English is probably worse than many since it combines so many languages while other languages tend to be more consistent since they aren't derived from so many different sources.
Member since:
2005-11-18
You didn't catch the "infinite"...? "
I think he meant to say that 'amount' is for mass mouns, while 'number' is for count nouns.
Mass nouns are mostly for things that are physically impossible or nearly impossible to count, such as water or grains.