a small amount of information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small amount of information" is correct and is often used in written English.
You can use it when describing a limited collection of facts, knowledge or details. For example: "The police had a small amount of information that allowed them to identify the suspect."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

A small amount of information has been withheld from publication because it might endanger local informants or give away genuine military secrets.

The Guardian

In other words, people only need to convey a small amount of information to communicate effectively, and they can do so while holding fundamentally different ideas about how their language describes the world.

The Economist

There is only a small amount of information contained within the score of "The Play of Daniel" that has come down to us, just a single line of melody without secondary voices, orchestration or rhythmic indications.

The New York Times - Arts

In particular, for a two-stage network, each decoded node broadcasts a small amount of information with limited power.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This ensures scalability for two reasons: first, individual peers only need to process a small amount of information.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

However, the market for tags that can only contain a small amount of information remains extremely limited.

RCS Synthesis for Chipless RFID Theory and Design

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Participants randomised to the usual care group were advised to continue with their usual approach to weight loss and were given a small amount of printed information at baseline, reflecting the type of information available within primary care.

BMC Health Services Research

However, it is worth noting that the study has limited implications for clinical work because it merely looked at how a short burst of positive information could correct a small amount of threat information provided to non-clinical children rather than trying to alter long-established fears that have developed through complex interactions between the fear pathways.

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review

Since the level of frequency locking did not significantly differ with varying visual and auditory information, the authors suggested that only a small amount of sensory information was sufficient to cause unintentional synchronization.

Animal Cognition

A small amount of that information, according to a Giants coach who did not want to be identified, has been incorporated into the team's game plan against Washington on Sunday night.

The New York Times - Sports

Similar scams have netted far more than a small amount of payroll information: one company, Ubiquiti Networks, sent a payment of $46.7m£33.6m6m) in June after an email supposedly sent by its CEO, while the Financial Times reports that a total of $2bn has been lost to similar scams in the past two-and-a-half years.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small amount of information", ensure that the context clearly indicates the significance of the limited information. Is it sufficient for the task, or is more needed?

Common error

Avoid implying that "a small amount of information" is exhaustive or complete. Clearly acknowledge its limitations to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small amount of information" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a limited quantity of data or knowledge, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small amount of information" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a limited quantity of data or knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and formal writing. While versatile, it's important to use it precisely, avoiding overstatements about the comprehensiveness of the information. Alternatives like "limited data" or "scant details" can provide subtle variations in meaning. In essence, this phrase serves to acknowledge limitations, prompting consideration of whether the available information is sufficient for the task at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Limited data

Focuses on the data itself being scarce.

Scant details

Highlights the lack of specific details.

Meager information

Emphasizes the insufficiency of the information.

Restricted knowledge

Indicates that the available knowledge is limited or controlled.

Minimal data

Similar to "limited data", but can imply that the data is just enough.

Limited insights

Focuses on the lack of understanding or perspectives gained from the information.

Sparse details

Emphasizes the scattered and infrequent nature of the details.

Fragmentary information

Suggests that the information is incomplete or in pieces.

A trickle of information

Suggests the information is arriving slowly and in small quantities.

A modicum of information

Implies that the amount of information is barely adequate.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small amount of information" to describe situations where the available data or knowledge is limited. For example, "The investigation stalled because the police only had "a small amount of information" about the suspect."

What are some alternatives to "a small amount of information"?

Alternatives include "limited data", "scant details", or "meager information", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a small amount of information" in formal writing?

Yes, "a small amount of information" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure the context is clear and the phrase accurately reflects the limited nature of the information.

What's the difference between "a small amount of information" and "a large amount of information"?

"A small amount of information" indicates a limited quantity of data, whereas "a large amount of information" suggests a substantial or extensive collection of data. The choice depends on the actual quantity you're describing.