a slight quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight quantity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of something, often in a formal or descriptive context. Example: "The recipe calls for a slight quantity of salt to enhance the flavor of the dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

As soil acidity increases so does the solubility of aluminum and manganese in the soil, and many plants (including agricultural crops) will tolerate only slight quantities of those metals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A wire is frequently coiled around a needle freely supported & by this instrument we detect the slightest quantity of galvanism.

Princeton University

There has been a slight drop in the quantity of rubbish found on Scottish beaches, a survey has found.

BBC

The hypothesis of the modeling leads to a slight overestimation of the quantities of zinc eluted (10%) at pH 6 and 7, mostly in the desorption phase.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Japan normally produces a slight surplus of rice but imports large quantities of wheat, sorghum and soybeans.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

As-prepared samples exhibit clear clip-like morphology with a large quantity of clips and slight nanoparticles (Fig. 1a).

Nanoscale Research Letters

The evaluation of interventions for family carers of palliative care patients conducted in the last decade shows a slight increase in the quality and quantity of psychosocial care strategies for carers.

BMC Palliative Care

Consumption of seafood had a slight impact on the level of urinary arsenic, which is indicative of the presence of low quantities of inorganic arsenicals and dimethylarsinic acid in seafood.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The benefit to buying bin herbs is that you will be given a slight discount per each quantity bought.

WikiHow

2. Go into the shower-bath with a small quantity of water at a temperature low enough to give you a slight sensation of cold, 75 or 80 degrees.

Huffington Post

There was a slight smell of incense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slight quantity of" when you want to emphasize that the amount is small but still measurable or noticeable. This phrasing is particularly effective in formal writing or technical descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight quantity of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "a little" or "a bit" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a noun. Although Ludwig lacks direct examples, the structure implies it modifies a noun to indicate a small but perceptible amount.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight quantity of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a small but noticeable amount of something. Ludwig's analysis shows that while it's structurally sound, it lacks examples for deeper context. Alternatives such as "a small amount of" or "a touch of" might be more appropriate depending on the context. Using "a slight quantity of" is best reserved for formal or technical writing where precision is valued.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of

Focuses on the smallness of the quantity without necessarily implying precision.

a minimal quantity of

Emphasizes that the quantity is as small as possible or necessary.

a trace of

Suggests an extremely small, almost undetectable amount.

a touch of

Implies a delicate or subtle addition of something.

a dash of

Commonly used for adding small amounts of ingredients, especially in cooking.

a hint of

Similar to 'a touch of', suggesting subtlety and not overpowering.

a modicum of

More formal, suggesting a small but perhaps adequate amount.

a smattering of

Implies a scattering or uneven distribution of a small quantity.

a soupçon of

A French-derived term, adding an air of sophistication to a very small quantity.

a speck of

Indicates a tiny, almost negligible amount, often used for solids or particles.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight quantity of" in a sentence?

While I lack explicit examples, consider its use to describe a small but noticeable amount of something. For example, "The recipe calls for a slight quantity of spice to enhance the flavor".

What can I say instead of "a slight quantity of"?

You can use alternatives like "a small amount of", "a minimal quantity of", or "a touch of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a slight quantity of" or "a small quantity of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a small quantity of" is more common and versatile, while "a slight quantity of" may sound more formal or precise.

Is "slight" the same as "small" when describing quantities?

While similar, "slight" often implies that the small amount has a noticeable effect or impact, whereas "small" simply indicates size or amount. Consider the subtle difference when choosing between phrases like "a slight improvement" and "a small improvement".