a little amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small quantity of something, often in contexts related to measurements or quantities. Example: "I only need a little amount of sugar for this recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is very possible that a little amount of nitrogen atoms has doped into MWCNTs.

Carbon

BiNbO4 ceramic substituted by a little amount of V2O5 was chosen as the substrate materials.

Materials Science and Engineering: A

A little amount of research has been reported till date on the dynamic characteristics of this structural system.

Measurement

SECM technique confirmed the increase of electroactivity observed with the antimony doping and a little amount of platinum.

Electrochimica Acta

A little amount of work has been reported till date on the damping capacity of structures with welded joints.

Engineering Structures

The phases of MgO-based expansive agent are mainly MgO, C2S and a little amount of CaO.

Cement and Concrete Research

"Why not add a little amount of baobab fruit into the sauce to enhance the iron?" asks Chadare.

The Guardian

We investigate formation control of a group of unicycle-type mobile robots at the dynamics level with a little amount of inter-robot communication.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Elasmobranchs can detect a little amount of electric fields and they have characteristic approach strategies to find an electric dipole source generated by prey or conspecifics.

Biosystems

The oil contains a little amount of asphaltene (1 wt%).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

On postoperative day (POD) 1, there was a little amount of bleeding from the nasogastric tube.

Surgical Case Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little amount", ensure the context clearly conveys that a small quantity is sufficient or appropriate for the situation. For emphasis, consider pairing it with adjectives like "mere" or "slight".

Common error

Avoid using "a little amount" when referring to something significant. Using "a considerable amount" or "a significant quantity" is more appropriate for larger or more impactful quantities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little amount" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a small quantity. It quantifies the noun, specifying that only a small portion is being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

22%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little amount" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote a small quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for diverse contexts, including science, news, and general usage. While versatile, it's important to avoid using it when referring to significant quantities, opting instead for terms like "a considerable amount". Common alternatives include "a small quantity", "a touch of", and "a bit of". Its neutral register makes it adaptable for both informal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small quantity

Replaces "little" with "small" and "amount" with "quantity", emphasizing the limited size.

a bit of

A more informal way to indicate a small quantity or degree.

a touch of

Implies adding a very slight quantity, especially in cooking or art.

a dash of

Similar to "a touch of", but often used for liquids or seasonings.

a hint of

Suggests a very subtle presence or influence.

a trace of

Indicates a minimal amount, barely detectable.

a smidgen of

Implies an extremely small quantity, often used humorously.

a modicum of

A more formal way to indicate a small but sufficient amount.

a trickle of

Describes a slow, small flow or supply.

a scattering of

Indicates a sparsely distributed quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a little amount" in a sentence?

You can use "a little amount" to describe a small quantity of something, such as "I only need "a little amount" of sugar for this recipe" or "A little amount of effort can go a long way".

What are some alternatives to saying "a little amount"?

Instead of "a little amount", you could say "a small quantity", "a touch of", or "a bit of", depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a little amount"?

While grammatically correct, using "a little amount" might not be appropriate when describing something substantial or significant. In such cases, phrases like "a significant amount" or "a large quantity" would be more fitting.

What's the difference between "a little amount" and "some"?

"Some" is a general term for an unspecified quantity, while "a little amount" specifically implies a small quantity. You'd use ""a little amount"" when the smallness of the quantity is relevant or important to the context.