a small amount of ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small amount of ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a limited quantity of land or soil, often in contexts related to gardening, construction, or geography. Example: "After the heavy rain, we noticed a small amount of ground had washed away from the hillside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He's still got a small amount of ground to reach Ronaldo, but that's not a problem.

The Guardian - Sport

Using a small amount of ground spice to the cocoa powder can add greater depth.

Forbes

The sauce contained a small amount of ground cashews.

Huffington Post

There is a removable skewer in the head for maximum airflow, Once this part is done I will remove the stick and fill the hole created with a small amount of ground flower for maximum face punch effect.

Huffington Post

A small amount of ground root sample was weighted (100.0 mg).

Fitoterapia

Eight µl of puromycin solution were added; larvae were fed a small amount of ground TetraMin fish food and placed at 28°.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A small amount of grounds set alight on a saucer will "smolder for hours," Mr. Harcombe says.

The New York Times - Travel

As I left the mosque in Karbala, with the traditional memento of a small amount of earth from the grounds, it was hard not to reflect on the way an event there 1,400 years ago was shaping the world today.

BBC

Another shell, from a thorny oyster, contained a small amount of a ground pigmented substance that appeared to be a cosmetic or body paint.

The New York Times - Science

Trader Joe's said it was embracing trim testing even though it has had to recall only a small amount of fresh ground beef and knew of no illnesses among its customers.

The New York Times

There will be a small amount of fine ground coffee in the coffee.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the area covered by something, be specific and provide a real-world metric if possible. For example, instead of saying "a small amount of ground", say "an area of 10 square feet".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "a small amount of ground" without providing additional context. Consider adding descriptive adjectives like 'barren', 'fertile', or 'uneven' to enhance the imagery and provide a clearer picture for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small amount of ground" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It designates a limited quantity of earth or soil. Ludwig provides examples where it refers to literal ground, land and soil.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small amount of ground" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a limited quantity of earth or soil. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically correct, the phrase can be enhanced by adding descriptive adjectives and providing real-world metrics in writing. It appears most frequently in news, wiki, and scientific contexts. For more descriptive and varied language, consider alternatives such as "a little bit of earth" or "a tiny patch of land". Use of specific measurements when possible is encouraged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little bit of earth

Replaces "amount of ground" with a more general term "earth" and uses "a little bit of" instead of "a small amount of".

a tiny patch of land

Substitutes "small amount" with "tiny patch" and "ground" with "land", emphasizing the diminutive size.

a limited quantity of soil

Replaces "small amount" with "limited quantity" and "ground" with the more specific "soil".

a modest area of terrain

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "small amount" with "modest area" and "ground" with "terrain".

a trace of soil

Emphasizes the minimal quantity, using "trace" instead of "small amount".

a touch of earth

Emphasizes the minimal quantity with a slightly poetic tone.

a sprinkling of soil

Suggests an even smaller and more dispersed quantity.

a vestige of land

Implies a remaining, often historical, small piece of land.

a grain of earth

Signifies an incredibly small quantity, almost negligible.

a mere speck of ground

Highlights the insignificance of the quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a small amount of ground" in a sentence?

You can use "a small amount of ground" to describe a limited area of land. For instance, "The gardener needed only "a small amount of ground" to plant the herbs".

What can I say instead of "a small amount of ground"?

Alternatives include "a little bit of earth", "a tiny patch of land", or "a limited quantity of soil" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a small amount of ground" or "a small area of land"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "a small area of land" might be more versatile in various contexts. "A small amount of ground" often implies earth or soil specifically, while "a small area of land" is more general.

What's the difference between "a small amount of ground" and "a small amount of grounds"?

"A small amount of ground" refers to a piece of land or soil. In contrast, "a small amount of grounds" typically refers to coffee grounds, as seen in some of Ludwig's examples.