Meaning & use
the maximum amount of
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
the largest quantity of something that is possible or allowed
Grammar: Followed by an uncountable noun: the maximum amount of water. For countable nouns, use 'the maximum number of'.
Patterns
- the maximum amount of something
- the maximum amount of something allowed
- the maximum amount of something possible
The maximum amount of water in the tank is 50 liters.
You can withdraw the maximum amount of cash from this machine each day.
The maximum amount of time allowed for the test is two hours.
Common combinations
- the maximum amount of time
- We need to finish within the maximum amount of time allowed.
- the maximum amount of money
- The maximum amount of money you can borrow is $10,000.
- the maximum amount of information
- The form asks for the maximum amount of information in the smallest space.
- exceed the maximum amount of
- Do not exceed the maximum amount of salt in the recipe.
Synonyms and how they differ
- the most
- The most is more general and can be used with countable and uncountable nouns; the maximum amount of is more formal and often suggests a limit.
- the upper limit of
- The upper limit of is used for the highest point allowed, often in technical contexts; the maximum amount of is more common in everyday language.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: the maximum amount of or the maximum number of?
the maximum amount of vs the maximum number of
Use 'number' with countable nouns: the maximum number of people. Use 'amount' with uncountable nouns: the maximum amount of sugar.
Practice
The maximum amount ___ information you can store is 2 gigabytes.
Choose one answer.
The phrase is 'the maximum amount of' + uncountable noun. 'For' would mean purpose, which does not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the maximum amount of”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.