monnaie v montant

Question

I wrote, "Je n'ai pas le montant exact." Would that have worked in that setting?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Bill,
You and Jim are correct that "montant" can be accepted here (in this particular context). So we've now amended the options to include this too.
However, there is a slight nuance (as always ;-) ): "montant" does not always refer to "change"

Je n'ai pas le montant exact. = I don't have the correct amount.
Je n'ai pas la monnaie exacte. = I don't have the exact change.

I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Answer

Hi Bill,I suspect that you would be understood to use "montant" (total sum).To use "Je n'ai pas la monnaie exacte" really expresses the same message, but doesn't give the sense of being short of the total sum required and sounds more natural to me.Let's see what the others may add.Bonne journée,Jim

Answer

It would have worked but it feels a little long and mouthfull.  We mostly use "Désolé, je n'ai pas l'appoint" l'appoint means the exact change.