a meager amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a meager amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insufficient quantity of something. Example: "The charity received a meager amount of donations this year, which limited their ability to help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A random survey of parking recently showed that people in Chinatown were left with a meager amount of street space after various law enforcement officials had parked for the day.

The New York Times

On Saturday, Mr. Khan, whose carpentry shop in Kandahar, and thus his livelihood, had been damaged by American bombs, bought a meager amount of cookies from Ghulam Rasoul Faizi, a former professor who had been fired by the Taliban.

The New York Times

Seared dayboat scallops sounded luscious, with the menu promising broccoli, flageolets, sun-dried tomatoes and pearl onions, but the dish was a tease; great scallops, lots of flageolets and a meager amount of other vegetables.

The New York Times

Keystone is confident that there will be demand for its buildings since, for years, only a meager amount of modern warehouse space has been constructed on speculation in North Jersey and particularly in the port area.

The New York Times

In graduate school, you also learned to be productive with a meager amount of grant money.

Science Magazine

Although a meager amount of xylose was consumed in the first 2 h of fermentation, the added xylose seemed powerless to affect the glucose dominated transcriptional profile.

AMB Express

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He has pulled in more than $250,000 online in recent days, exceeding a campaign goal, but a meager amount by the standards of modern campaigns.

The New York Times

They've also received a relatively meager amount of grant money less than $80,000 from the Norwegian government.

Vice

Since April, Ms. Jackson has managed to save just $800, a meager amount that illustrates the futility of her efforts.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama has recognized a simple truth that seems to evade The Times and other reformers: it takes money for candidates to communicate their message, and in a national campaign the meager amount of taxpayer financing offered just won't cut it.

The New York Times

There was also a large area designated for the history of the Mets, although Jose Rosario, 21, a lifelong Mets fan, sounded a bit disappointed at the meager amount of Mets apparel he saw represented among the crowd.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a meager amount of", consider the context to determine if a more specific term would be more impactful, such as "a pittance" when referring to money, or "a trickle" when referring to liquid.

Common error

Avoid using "a meager amount of" when the quantity is actually substantial. This phrase is best reserved for truly small and insufficient quantities to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a meager amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is considered small, insufficient, or unsatisfactory. As Ludwig AI describes, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

36%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a meager amount of" is a grammatically sound and widely recognized way to describe a small or insufficient quantity, as validated by Ludwig. It's most frequently found in news and scientific contexts, carrying a neutral to slightly formal tone. When employing this phrase, be mindful of potential overstatement and consider context-specific alternatives like "a pittance" for clarity. The phrase is commonly used to express a degree of disappointment or dissatisfaction with the small quantity of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a scant quantity of

Uses "scant" to emphasize the insufficiency of the quantity.

a paltry sum of

Emphasizes the low value or worth of the amount.

a pittance of

Highlights the inadequacy of the amount to meet needs or expectations.

a trifling quantity of

Replaces "meager amount" with a more emphatic expression of insignificance.

a modicum of

Emphasizes the smallness and often inadequacy of the amount.

a limited quantity of

Focuses on the restricted nature of the amount.

a negligible quantity of

Stresses that the quantity is so small it can be ignored.

a small measure of

Replaces "amount" with "measure" to convey a slightly different perspective on quantity.

a tiny fraction of

Highlights that the amount is just a small part of a whole.

a shadow of

Uses a metaphor to convey the amount is barely existent.

FAQs

How can I use "a meager amount of" in a sentence?

You can use "a meager amount of" to describe something that is small or insufficient, for example: "They received "a meager amount of" funding for the project."

What are some synonyms for "a meager amount of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a scant amount of", "a paltry sum of", or "a limited quantity of" depending on the specific context.

Is "meager amount" formal or informal?

"Meager amount" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's best suited for situations where you want to emphasize the insufficiency of something. Be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "a meager amount of" and "a small amount of"?

While both phrases indicate a quantity that is not large, ""a meager amount of"" carries a stronger connotation of inadequacy or deficiency compared to "a small amount of". Using "a meager amount of" suggests that the quantity is disappointingly small.