a negligible amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a negligible amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is so small that it is not worth considering or has little to no impact. Example: "The changes made to the budget resulted in a negligible amount of savings, hardly enough to notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Extracts are often heavy on cannabidiol, with a negligible amount of THC.

The New York Times

Such cuts are defensible: the contribution subsidy raises pensions by a negligible amount, for example.

The Economist

For someone as rich as Soros, eighteen and half a million dollars is almost a negligible amount of money.

The New Yorker

In comparison to what governments spend on basic medical research, $3bn is, of course, a negligible amount.

The Guardian - Tech

Walker said that Blake did not want to be paid, but that she insisted on giving him a "negligible" amount.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A negligible amount of time when compared with a 12-hour flight, a mere breath in a three-day marathon.

Independent

If it goes by truck, it's about 300 calories, still a negligible amount in the overall picture.

The New York Times

In mature economies migrant labour contributes little to total agricultural output and only a negligible amount to nonagricultural output.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Safety of Sweeteners In the American market, five non-nutritive sweeteners contain no calories or a negligible amount, despite being much sweeter than sucrose.

The New York Times - Health

"That is not a negligible amount of money, particularly since there is strong competition from tourism in countries such as Spain, Portugal or Turkey," he says.

The Guardian

The companies said the new route could increase Russia's share of American oil imports to 13percentt from a negligible amount now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "insignificant quantity" or "trivial amount" for variety and to avoid repetition in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a negligible amount" when the quantity, though small, still has a noticeable impact. The phrase implies insignificance, so ensure this aligns with the actual effect or quantity being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a negligible amount" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun. It indicates that the quantity being referred to is so small as to be unimportant or inconsequential. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is suitable for describing quantities with little to no impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a negligible amount" is a useful phrase for describing quantities that are so small they are effectively inconsequential. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig show its usage across diverse contexts, especially in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. While primarily neutral to formal in tone, understanding its nuances and potential synonyms—such as "a trivial amount" or "an insignificant quantity"—can enhance clarity and precision in your writing. Remember to consider the scale and impact to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an insignificant quantity

Focuses on the lack of significance rather than the specific amount.

a trivial quantity

Emphasizes the unimportance or lack of value.

a minimal quantity

Highlights the extremely small size of the amount.

a trifling quantity

Indicates something is so small it's hardly worth considering; slightly more informal.

a minute amount

Stresses the extremely small or tiny aspect of the quantity.

an imperceptible amount

Highlights that the quantity is so small it's almost impossible to notice.

a virtually nonexistent amount

Emphasizes that the amount is so small that it is effectively not there.

a very small quantity

Simple and direct way to express the small size.

an inconsiderable amount

Highlights the lack of importance or consequence due to the small size.

a drop in the bucket

Idiomatic expression suggesting the amount is insignificant compared to the whole.

FAQs

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

Use "a negligible amount" to describe something that is so small or unimportant that it doesn't have a significant effect. For example: "The new policy only increased costs by "a negligible amount"."

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

You can use alternatives like "a trivial amount", "an insignificant quantity", or "a minimal quantity" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as a negligible amount"?

The phrase "as a negligible amount" is grammatically unusual. It's better to use "a negligible amount of" followed by the noun you are quantifying. For example, "a negligible amount of time".

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

"A small amount" indicates a quantity that is not large, but it may still be significant. "A negligible amount" suggests the quantity is so small that it's effectively inconsequential.