# Position statements in Task 1 reports

Position statements are statements which declare information, a conclusion or a position. In a position statement for task 1 reports we should identify what is being measured. They are sometimes difficult to describe (especially when paraphrasing), so here is some grammar advice.

Number

– Use “the number of + plural noun” e.g. the number of visitors.
– Don’t use it to describe percentages or uncountable nouns e.g. money.

Amount
– Use “the amount of + uncountable noun” e.g. the amount of money.
– Don’t use it with countable nouns e.g. the amount of person/people.

Quantity
– You can use ‘quantity’ instead of ‘amount’ or ‘number’ of something (e.g. quantity of water, quantity of bananas). Avoid using it with ‘people’

Proportion
– Only use this to describe percentages (not numbers).
– Use “the proportion of + plural noun” e.g. the proportion of people.

Figure
– Use “the figure for + plural noun” e.g. the figure for visitors to the UK.
– Use it with uncountable nouns e.g. the figure for unemployment.
– Use it with countries e.g. the figure for Canada.
– Use it with percentages e.g. the figure (for…) rose to 10%

Accounted for
– You can use “accounted for” to mean “was” when describing the proportion of something e.g. “The proportion of water used for agriculture was 50%” = “Agriculture accounted for 50% of water consumption”. You can also use synonyms such as “represented”, “constituted”, and “made up”.