a small quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a small quantity of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a small amount of something, such as a substance, object, or abstract concept. This phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, including scientific writing, business reports, and everyday conversation. Example: The recipe calls for a small quantity of salt, just a pinch, to enhance the flavor of the dish.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could such a small quantity of quinine cause all this?

The New York Times - Magazine

One knife was found as well as a small quantity of marijuana.

The New York Times

A small quantity of uncooked potato was enough to produce antibodies in mice.

The Guardian

It even smells like one, as glasses are lightly rubbed with a small quantity of ethanol.

The Guardian

Selling a large quantity of diluted cocaine powder, or a small quantity of pure cocaine?

The Guardian - Opinion

In the original design, this is a small quantity of plutonium.

The Guardian

The men demanded drugs and stole a small quantity of cash.

The Guardian

The police found a small quantity of illegal drugs at the scene, but made no arrests.

The New York Times

There may be a small quantity of tetrodotoxin on the premises.

The New Yorker

Catching individuals carrying a small quantity of drugs has no impact on these numbers.

The Guardian - Opinion

An egg with a small quantity of evenly distributed yolk is called an oligolecithal egg.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing measurements or precise amounts, consider using more specific units (e.g., milliliters, grams) after using the phrase "a small quantity of" to enhance clarity. For instance, "a small quantity of water, about 50 milliliters, was added to the mixture".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "a small quantity of" when precise figures are available. Overusing vague quantifiers can make your writing less informative. If possible, replace it with more exact figures, such as '5 grams' or '20 milliliters', for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a limited amount. It's commonly used to describe the extent or measure of a substance or item, as demonstrated by Ludwig, where examples like "a small quantity of marijuana" or "a small quantity of cash" illustrate this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Science

26%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small quantity of" is a versatile and commonly used quantifier to indicate a limited amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in diverse sources like News & Media, Science, Encyclopedias and Wiki makes it suitable for various contexts. When employing this phrase, remember to enhance clarity with more precise units if necessary, and avoid overuse by replacing it with exact figures when available. Related alternatives include "a small amount of" and "a limited quantity of", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of

Replaces "quantity" with "amount", emphasizing the measure of something.

a little quantity of

Uses "little" instead of "small", providing a more informal tone.

a limited quantity of

Emphasizes the restriction or finite nature of the quantity.

a tiny quantity of

Replaces "small" with "tiny", further diminishing the perceived size.

a minor quantity of

Replaces "small" with "minor", suggesting less significance or importance.

a reduced quantity of

Highlights that the quantity has been lessened from an original amount.

a modicum of

More formal term suggesting just a bit or trace of something.

a trace of

Indicates an extremely small or barely perceptible amount.

a hint of

Suggests a subtle and minimal presence of something.

a dash of

Implies a quick, small addition, often used in cooking or abstract contexts.

FAQs

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

The phrase "a small quantity of" is used to indicate that only a limited amount of something is present or required. For example, "The recipe calls for "a small quantity of" salt to enhance the flavor".

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

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

When is it appropriate to use "a small quantity of" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that the amount of something is not large, without needing to specify an exact measurement. It works well in general descriptions or when precision isn't critical.

What is the difference between "a small quantity of" and "a large quantity of"?

The phrase "a small quantity of" indicates a limited amount, while "a large quantity of" indicates a substantial or abundant amount. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of the quantity spectrum.