a limited amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a limited amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a small quantity of something. For example, "We have a limited amount of time to complete this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a limited amount of time.

The New York Times

They have a limited amount of resources".

The New York Times

"We have a limited amount of resources, a limited amount of firepower.

Independent

They had only a limited amount of money to spend.

The New Yorker

The environment minister instituted a limited amount of recycling.

The New York Times

The site displays a limited amount of advertising.

The New York Times - Tech

We all had a limited amount of freezer space.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We will do a limited amount of this in class.

University of California, Berkeley

"Trump has a limited amount of time," said Moon.

Harvard University

Your Unix account has a limited amount of disk space.

Stanford University

They also grew a limited amount of maize.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a limited amount of", be specific about the resource or item being limited to provide clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a limited amount of" when referring to something that is essentially infinite. Instead, consider using phrases like "a certain degree of" or "a particular aspect of."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a limited amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate that the quantity of something is restricted. It is commonly used to express scarcity or a constraint on resources, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

22%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a limited amount of" is a versatile and frequently used quantifier that denotes a restricted quantity of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and scientific writing. Its primary function is to inform and set expectations about availability or scope. When using this phrase, be mindful of the specific context and consider alternative phrases like "a finite amount of" or "a small amount of" for nuanced meaning. By avoiding overuse and ensuring specificity, you can effectively communicate limitations and constraints in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a finite amount of

Replaces 'limited' with 'finite', emphasizing the definite end or boundary.

a small amount of

Uses 'small' instead of 'limited', focusing on the size or quantity being restricted.

a restricted quantity of

Emphasizes the restriction aspect using the word 'restricted'.

a restricted amount of

Highlights a deliberate limitation on the quantity.

a scarce amount of

Highlights the rarity or insufficient availability of something.

a modest amount of

Suggests the quantity is unostentatious or moderate.

a narrow amount of

Suggests the quantity is very precise and focused.

a minimized amount of

Emphasizes an effort to reduce the quantity.

a meagre amount of

Implies the quantity is insufficient or poor.

a scant amount of

Indicates the quantity is barely sufficient.

FAQs

How to use "a limited amount of" in a sentence?

You can use "a limited amount of" to describe a restricted quantity of something, such as "We have a limited amount of time to finish the project" or "There is a limited amount of funding available for this research".

What can I say instead of "a limited amount of"?

You can use alternatives like "a finite amount of", "a small amount of", or "a restricted quantity of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a limited amount of" or "limited amounts of"?

The choice depends on whether you're referring to a single, limited quantity (use "a limited amount of") or multiple instances of limited quantities (use "limited amounts of").

What's the difference between "a limited amount of" and "a generous amount of"?

"A limited amount of" implies scarcity or restriction, while "a generous amount of" indicates abundance or plenty.