a large number of vs. a large/big amount of

[zaffy]

I've been told by a Canadian that I can say 'a large number of', never 'a big number of', however with uncountables I can use either, ie, 'a large/big amount of'. Would you agree?

 

[RedwoodGrove]

Yes, but I think you will see "large" used more often there.

 

[lingobingo]

A big number makes sense if you mean number in the sense of a numeral. Otherwise (to mean a lot) neither big number nor big amount is common usage, as N-Grams confirm.

 

[zaffy]

and can I say: 'a huge number of books' ?

 

[lingobingo]

Yes. Only big seems to be the odd man out, for some reason.