a small amount of help

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small amount of help" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a limited or minor level of assistance provided to someone. Example: "I only need a small amount of help to complete this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"In my experience, poor people in Latin America are grateful for even a small amount of help," says César Gaviria, a former Colombian president.In Brazil such gratitude gives Ms Rousseff a solid floor of around 35% of the vote.

The Economist

Instead, we've had the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, which offers a small amount of help to data-hungry journalists.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Adding a small amount of gallium helps to stabilise the cooling, but it makes it harder to extract the plutonium from decommissioned weapons to turn it into fuel for nuclear reactors.

The Economist

Even a small amount of furnishings helps buyers visualize where they will put their things and how they will live in the home.

WikiHow

Under current practices, the Federal Emergency Management Agency assists in bringing Puerto Ricans to the mainland, providing temporary assistance with housing and a small amount of money to help rebuild homes on the island. .

Huffington Post

Although a small amount of alcohol might help you get to sleep more quickly, it also gives you a more disturbed night, increases the chances of snoring and disrupts dreaming.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It went on to say that he had been given "a small amount of medication to help him sleep" after saying that changes in his work patterns had led to bouts of insomnia.

The Guardian

"After a medical examination, he was given a small amount of medication to help him sleep and was instructed to follow up with a primary care provider," the statement said.

The New York Times

"Yes, there will be government support, yes, there will be a small amount of money to help these cities to work together to kick-start some of the developments they hope to see," she said, adding that a further announcement would be made in July.

The Guardian

"If a small amount of research will help you, imagine what a moderate amount will do," Eggleston says.

Forbes

The ENZ was added daily with a small amount of concentrate to help balance the dietary metabolizable energy concentration.

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting "a small amount of help", be specific about what you need to avoid ambiguity and ensure you receive the right kind of assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "a small amount of help" when the task actually requires significant effort. Accurately assess the level of assistance needed to prevent misunderstandings and ensure the task is completed effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small amount of help" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. It describes a limited quantity of assistance, specifying the extent of support required or provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small amount of help" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate limited assistance or support. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While suitable for various contexts, including news, general writing, and science, it is less common in more formal settings. When using the phrase, clarity is key—being specific about the type of help needed prevents misunderstandings. The related phrases provide alternatives that slightly alter the tone or emphasis, allowing for more nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit of assistance

Replaces "small amount" with "bit" and "help" with "assistance", slightly more informal.

a little support

Substitutes "small amount" with "little" and "help" with "support", focusing on the emotional aspect.

minor assistance

Uses "minor" to describe the level of assistance, making it more concise.

limited aid

Emphasizes the restriction on the help provided.

minimal support

Highlights the bare minimum of support offered.

a touch of help

Emphasizes the subtle nature of help.

a modicum of assistance

Uses "modicum" to indicate a very small quantity, which is more formal.

a slight degree of help

Replaces "small amount" with "slight degree", making it more descriptive.

a fraction of support

Emphasizes the smallness of support by using the word "fraction".

a trickle of aid

Highlights the slow and minimal amount of assistance.

FAQs

How can I ask for "a small amount of help" without sounding demanding?

Be specific and clear about what you need. For example, instead of saying "I need "a small amount of help" with this project", try "Could you spare 15 minutes to review this document?"

What are some formal alternatives to "a small amount of help"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "a modicum of assistance", "minimal support", or "limited aid" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "a small amount of help" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "a small amount of help" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives depending on the tone of your writing.

How does "a small amount of help" differ from "a little bit of help"?

"A small amount of help" and "a little bit of help" are largely interchangeable and convey the same basic meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.