Meaning & use
fixed quantity
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Meaning
nouncountable
an amount of something that does not change and is set at a particular level
Grammar: Countable: use 'a fixed quantity' or 'fixed quantities'.
Patterns
- a fixed quantity of something
- in fixed quantities
The recipe calls for a fixed quantity of sugar, so you can't add more.
The company buys a fixed quantity of raw materials every month.
In this experiment, we must use a fixed quantity of water.
Word forms
| plural | fixed quantities |
|---|
Common combinations
- a fixed quantity of
- Add a fixed quantity of salt to the mixture.
- in fixed quantities
- The chemicals are sold in fixed quantities.
- a fixed quantity
- The machine dispenses a fixed quantity each time.
Synonyms and how they differ
- set amount
- Similar, but 'set amount' is more informal and can refer to money or other things; 'fixed quantity' is often used for physical substances.
- constant amount
- Emphasizes that the amount stays the same over time; 'fixed quantity' emphasizes that it is predetermined.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: fixed quantity or fixed cost?
fixed quantity vs fixed cost
A fixed cost is a business expense that does not change with production levels, while a fixed quantity is a specific amount of something.
Practice
The pharmacist measured a ______ of the liquid before mixing it.
Choose one answer.
‘Fixed quantity’ is the best choice because it refers to a measured amount of a substance. ‘Fixed number’ is used for countable items, ‘fixed amount’ is more general but less precise for liquids, and ‘fixed sum’ usually refers to money.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fixed quantity”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.