a slighter amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slighter amount of" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when comparing quantities, but "slight" is typically used as an adjective rather than in this construction. Example: "There was a slighter amount of rain this year compared to last year."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Annual diesel consumption would also be reduced, but by a slighter total of about 10 million barrels, saving about 235 million barrels through 2050.

Forbes

Excluding costs, the loss was only $1.37 per share, but analysts were hoping for a slighter loss of $1.30 per share.

Forbes

The similarities between different time series data can even be calculated by simply using the Euclidean distance parameter, but the problem in this method is that even a slighter shift of data can lead to erroneous results (Lin and Li 2009).

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

In fact, in the ADM muscle a slighter effect of both Smell and Obs was observed, without any interaction between them.

Plosone

A slighter increase of 5.7% was found for the oldest age group.

BMC Health Services Research

Generally, these studies found a slighter effect of educational level on immigrant population compared to autochthonous population.

BMC Health Services Research

"A good amount of everything.

The New York Times - Food

Coaches deserve a huge amount of credit.

Independent

Snow comes — a biblical amount of it.

The New York Times - Books

They get a disproportionate amount of attention.

The Guardian

A certain amount of it is automated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and conciseness, consider replacing "a slighter amount of" with simpler alternatives like "less" or "smaller" to improve readability.

Common error

Avoid using "a slighter amount of" in contexts where a more direct comparison using "less" or "fewer" would be more effective. For example, instead of saying "There was a slighter amount of rain this year", say "There was less rain this year".

Linguistic Context

Modifier of a noun phrase, indicating a reduced quantity or degree compared to something else. The phrase functions to specify that the amount being discussed is less than some other implied or stated amount. Ludwig AI suggests using more common alternatives for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a slighter amount of" is used to indicate a quantity that is somewhat less than another. While grammatically correct, Ludwig AI's analysis suggests it's not the most common or clearest choice; alternatives such as "less" or "smaller" are often preferred. It appears in various contexts, including science and news, but its overall frequency is rare. When writing, consider whether a simpler phrasing would improve clarity and readability. The source quality is moderate, indicating that while the phrase is used in credible sources, it's not consistently found in the most authoritative ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smaller quantity of

Replaces "slighter" with "smaller" for direct comparison of quantity.

a lesser amount of

Substitutes "slighter" with "lesser", implying a reduced quantity or degree.

a reduced quantity of

Uses "reduced" to emphasize the decrease in quantity.

a minimal amount of

Emphasizes the extremely small quantity.

a trace amount of

Indicates a very small, almost undetectable quantity.

a modicum of

Replaces the whole expression with a single word indicating a small quantity.

a touch of

Implies a very small addition or presence of something.

a hint of

Similar to "a touch of", suggesting a subtle presence.

a trickle of

Describes a very slow and small flow or quantity.

a smattering of

Suggests a scattered and small quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slighter amount of" to indicate a smaller quantity or degree compared to something else. For example: "Annual diesel consumption would also be reduced, but by "a slighter amount of" about 10 million barrels."

What phrases can I use instead of "a slighter amount of"?

Alternatives include "a smaller amount of", "a lesser amount of", or simply "less" or "fewer", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a slighter amount of"?

While grammatically acceptable, "a slighter amount of" is less common and can sound awkward. Using "a smaller amount of" is often clearer and more conventional.

What's the difference between "a slighter amount of" and "a slight amount of"?

"A slight amount of" indicates a small quantity, whereas ""a slighter amount of"" implies a smaller amount compared to something else. The former describes a quantity; the latter compares quantities.