a mere amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that the quantity being referred to is small or insignificant. Example: "The project was completed with a mere amount of funding, yet it achieved remarkable results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The less the better, but you need at least a mere amount of competition to know that there is something there to compete with!

WikiHow

Many times, because of the cold, in a mere amount of minutes dark or bright colors can begin to run, so choose whites, and creams, and yellows.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It would certainly have been interesting to collect information on the organization of staff and patient care, but the resources are so few and sub-standard that even a coarse measure as the mere amount of available human resources is of interest.

BMC Psychiatry

As the mere amount of R&D expenditures is only an input factor within the innovation process future research should take a closer look at the impact of regulation on the efficiency of R&D expenditures.

Health Economics Review

These are the people who are so incredibly well connected that, if you can get to them and convince them about your capability as an entrepreneur and as a startup, then their involvement is worth ten times the mere amount of money they might invest.

TechCrunch

After taking the daily routines into account, it becomes apparent that it is not the mere amount of charging stations that results in negative perceptions.

European Transport Research Review

Girls with a 'strong' profile (consisting of high general cognitive abilities, advanced knowledge in physics, as well as a marked interest and positive academic self-concept in physics) differed considerably from other girls in terms of the frequency and duration of utterances and, in particular, the mere amount of answers given.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

The problem we run into is that for many of us, the mere amount of options and choices out there can become overwhelming pretty quickly.

Huffington Post

We expect more factors to be involved than the mere amount of time that the therapist spends giving feedback to patients.

BMC Psychiatry

Space is a mere absence of entity.

SEP

Hyperchloremia could be a mere reflection of the amount of resuscitation fluids, itself being a marker of severity of shock and/or fluid overload and thus mortality.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere amount of" to downplay the significance or size of a quantity, often to contrast it with something larger or more important.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere amount of" when the quantity is actually substantial or significant, as this can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is small or insignificant. This is supported by the Ludwig AI, which validates its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a mere amount of" is used to emphasize the smallness or insignificance of a quantity. As supported by the Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and primarily functions to downplay something. While the phrase is applicable across various contexts, including news and scientific articles, careful consideration should be given to the specific writing style and the intent to either diminish or contrast a particular quantity. When used inappropriately, it can misrepresent the true significance of the amount being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a simple amount of

Focuses on the ease or lack of complexity associated with the amount.

a sheer amount of

Emphasizes the magnitude or extent, often unexpectedly large.

a small quantity of

Highlights the limited size of the amount.

a trivial amount of

Underscores the insignificance or unimportance of the amount.

an insignificant amount of

Stresses the lack of consequence or relevance of the amount.

a negligible amount of

Indicates the amount is so small it can be disregarded.

a paltry amount of

Suggests the amount is meager and contemptible.

a minimal amount of

Focuses on the amount being the smallest possible.

a fractional amount of

Implies the amount is a small part of a larger whole.

a limited amount of

Highlights the constraint on the quantity available.

FAQs

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

Use "a mere amount of" to emphasize the smallness or insignificance of something, for example: "They completed the project with "a mere amount of" funding."

What are some alternatives to "a mere amount of"?

You can use phrases like "a small quantity of", "a trivial amount of", or "an insignificant amount of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "a mere amount of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a mere amount of" can be used in formal writing, but ensure it fits the context and that downplaying the amount is your intention. Alternatives like "a limited amount of" might be preferred for a more neutral tone.

When should I avoid using "a mere amount of"?

Avoid using "a mere amount of" when you want to emphasize the largeness or importance of a quantity, or when a neutral description is more appropriate. In such cases, use phrases like "a large amount of" or "a significant amount of".