a shrinking amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shrinking amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decreasing quantity of something over time. Example: "As the project progressed, we noticed a shrinking amount of resources available for development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Large amounts of retirees' money pursuing a shrinking amount of available goods and services could lead to a collapse of stock market prices and high levels of inflation.

The New York Times

The cautionary tale most often recounted in Chicago is that of Marc Andreessen, founder of Netscape, who studied at the University of Illinois and then took his fledgling business to California, where the venture-capital climate was warmer.Strong economic growth has created problems of its own, notably traffic jams, geographic sprawl and a shrinking amount of affordable housing.

The Economist

Pervasive poverty and malnourishment coupled with limited access to education and employment and a shrinking amount of arable land are just a few of the resulting challenges confronting the country where two-thirds of the population are under 24 and more than half are under 15.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

While there's progress in all these areas, much more needs to be done in an ever shrinking amount of time.

Unicef

Another reason, specific to Westchester, is the shrinking amount of open space in a county that wasn't vast to begin with.

The New York Times

For weeks, Gov. David A. Paterson has invoked the shrinking amount of available cash in an effort to provoke the Legislature to deal with the state's $3.2 billion budget deficit.

The New York Times

The shrinking amount of ink in cartridges has enabled manufacturers to offer a remarkable new product – called "XL" (extra large) but almost exactly the same size as the standard cartridge.

The Guardian - Money

The increase in rents is directly linked to the shrinking amount of space available for occupancy.

The New York Times

The shrinking amount of water in what forage grasses remain are also causing livestock to suffer.

Huffington Post

Meanwhile, that shrinking amount of money that's still accessible in hands at the bottom?

Huffington Post

Many relationships suffer from the shrinking amounts of time we spend together without digital distractions or the pressure of accomplishment.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using this phrase when discussing resources, opportunities, or quantities that are diminishing over time. This can add emphasis to the urgency or importance of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a shrinking amount of" when the reduction is negligible or insignificant. Using it in such cases can exaggerate the situation and mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shrinking amount of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a decreasing quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity through examples from reputable sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a shrinking amount of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a decreasing quantity or supply. According to Ludwig AI, its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news reports to formal business documents. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies what is diminishing and why it is significant. While alternatives like "a decreasing quantity of" or "a diminishing supply of" can be used, it's important to maintain accuracy and avoid exaggeration to prevent misleading the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a decreasing quantity of

Replaces "shrinking" with "decreasing", emphasizing the reduction process.

a diminishing quantity of

Uses "diminishing" instead of "shrinking", suggesting a gradual decline.

a dwindling supply of

Substitutes "amount" with "supply", focusing on availability.

a reduced quantity of

Replaces "shrinking" with "reduced", indicating a completed decrease.

a lessening degree of

Employs "lessening degree" to denote a reduction in intensity or extent.

a declining volume of

Utilizes "declining volume" to describe a decrease in magnitude or size.

a contracting measure of

Replaces "shrinking" with "contracting", suggesting a reduction in scope.

a smaller quantity of

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of reduction.

a thinner measure of

Implies that something is becoming sparse.

a lighter provision of

Changes "amount" to "provision", referring to a supplied quantity, which is now less.

FAQs

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

You can use "a shrinking amount of" to describe something that is decreasing in quantity or size. For example, "The company is facing challenges due to "a shrinking amount of" available funding".

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

You can use alternatives like "a decreasing quantity of", "a diminishing supply of", or "a reduced amount of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a shrinking number of" instead of "a shrinking amount of"?

While both phrases indicate a reduction, "a shrinking amount of" is best used for uncountable nouns (e.g., water, money), while "a shrinking number of" is appropriate for countable nouns (e.g., people, cars).

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

"A shrinking amount of" implies a reduction over time, whereas "a limited amount of" suggests that the quantity was small to begin with, and does not necessarily imply a decrease.