Cái khác nhau nổi trội nhất là phải xét đến countable or uncountable.
Amount dùng để chỉ mass nouns (uncountable nouns như bravery, water, and charisma).
Number thì lại dùng để chỉ count nouns (countable nouns như dog, year, and eyeball).
Ví dụ:
The amount of heat is lowered every three minutes. (“Heat” is noncountable.)
A number of toggle switches were used in the design of this device. (“Toggle switches” are countable.)
Đa số các mass nouns, đặc biệt là abstract ones, thường sẻ dùng singular verb—for example:
The music is pretty.
Tuy nhiên, mass nouns mà nhắc đến groups of people or things đôi lúc dùng plural verbs:
The faculty are on strike.
The majority are in favor of the amendment.