a few amounts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few amounts" is not correct and not typically used in written English.
It is generally incorrect because "amounts" is a plural noun that does not pair well with "a few," which suggests a countable quantity. Example: "We need to consider a few amounts of sugar for the recipe."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

While there were still a few amounts of single-molecule clusters inside the gel, three-dimensional network structure had already reached stability through intermolecular cross-linking.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

The intermediate layer is considered to take into account the part of support with a few amounts of metal where the pore diameter is reduced due to the deposited metal on the wall of the pores.

Chemical Engineering Science

There are only instructions and ingredients with a few amounts listed.

Huffington Post

Apply only a few amounts of the mixture.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It's a massive amount of people going for just a few amount of calls".

The New York Times

"I just try to provide hope, knowing that if we're down a few amount of points in the fourth quarter, that we got a chance to win," Stoudemire said.

The New York Times - Sports

The starting red mud was found to contain hematite, katoite, cancrinite and a few amount of diaspore, which hardly dissolved and participated in the geopolymerization reaction.

Construction and Building Materials

In any case, the performance of the 1D-PLS and 2D-PLS methods converges with a few amount of components and remains stable.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Microstructure of air cooled specimen consists of lower bainite with a few amount of lath martensite, whereas a mixture of lath martensite and lower bainite in prior pan-caked austenite grains has also been obtained on water quenching.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Addition of a few amount of Cu to DLC resulted in a rise in plastic hardness and H3/E2 ratio of Cu/DLC composite thin films, but optimum value was observed for composite films having an intermediate Cu concentration.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Do not go into random video game lobbies/video game Xbox live parties with a few amount of people.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a few amounts" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "a small quantity" or "a limited number" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Common error

The word "amount" is typically used with uncountable nouns. Avoid pairing "a few" (which implies countable items) with "amounts". Instead, use "a few" with countable nouns or "a small amount of" with uncountable nouns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few amounts" attempts to quantify something, but its grammatical structure is flawed. As Ludwig AI points out, "amount" is typically used with uncountable nouns, while "a few" suggests countable items. This makes the phrase grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few amounts" is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect. While it appears in a limited number of sources, ranging from science journals to news articles, its usage is questionable. "Amount" typically modifies uncountable nouns, whereas "a few" implies countability. Therefore, alternatives like "a small quantity" or "a limited number" are more grammatically sound and clearer. When expressing small quantities, it's crucial to consider the countability of the noun you're modifying to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small quantity

Replaces "few amounts" with a more standard term for a limited quantity.

a limited number

Emphasizes the restriction in count rather than specific amounts.

a handful of

Offers a more informal way to indicate a small quantity.

a scattering of

Suggests a dispersed and small quantity.

a modicum of

Implies a very small or moderate amount, often in a formal context.

a trace of

Indicates a barely perceptible amount.

a fraction of

Emphasizes that the amount is a small part of a larger whole.

a sprinkling of

Suggests a light and sparse distribution of something.

a dash of

Implies a very small amount, often used in cooking or figurative senses.

a touch of

Suggests a subtle and almost imperceptible amount.

FAQs

Is "a few amounts" grammatically correct?

No, "a few amounts" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Amount" usually refers to uncountable nouns, while "a few" implies countable items. It's better to use "a small amount of" or "a few quantities".

What are some alternatives to "a few amounts"?

You can use alternatives such as "a small quantity", "a limited number", or "a handful of" depending on the context.

When can I use "amount" vs. "number"?

"Amount" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g. "a small amount of water"), while "number" is used with countable nouns (e.g. "a large number of people"). Using "amount" with countable nouns, as in "a few amounts", is typically incorrect.

How can I improve my writing to avoid using incorrect phrases like "a few amounts"?

Focus on understanding the difference between countable and uncountable nouns. Use resources like grammar guides and style manuals to ensure correct usage. Practice by rewriting sentences with phrases like "a few amounts" using more appropriate alternatives.