a smaller amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smaller amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities, indicating that one quantity is less than another. Example: "We need to allocate a smaller amount of resources to this project compared to the last one."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

You can, of course, substitute the soda water with a smaller amount of tequila.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The machine will also perform a smaller amount of climate research.

The New York Times

A smaller amount of material exists for the student strikes of 1969, 1970 , 1971 and 1972.

Columbia University

Littered through the NSA material is a smaller amount of material about Australia's role in surveillance.

The Guardian - Film

Later it proposed sending a smaller amount of low-enriched uranium in batches to third countries.

The Washington Post

Hedge funds have parked a smaller amount of assets at Morgan Stanley.

The New York Times

Dendrite contained approximately equivalent amount of Co, Cr, Fe, Ni and a smaller amount of Ti.

Intermetallics

XRD analysis revealed a mixture of anatase and a smaller amount of rutile TiO2.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Complex optical depth effects may also explain these results without invoking a smaller amount of dust in the nucleus.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But that may be of no consequence to those who store a smaller amount of data.

The New York Times - Tech

* A smaller amount of 2″ and 1/2″ foam.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, ensure that the context clearly establishes what "a smaller amount of" something is being compared to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a smaller amount of" when referring to countable nouns. Use "fewer" instead. For example, say "fewer apples" not "a smaller amount of apples".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smaller amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a reduced quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable English construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

29%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a smaller amount of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a reduced quantity, primarily with uncountable nouns. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across various contexts, including scientific, news media, and academic writing. While alternatives such as "less of" exist, "a smaller amount of" offers a slightly more formal tone. It's important to remember to use "fewer" instead of "amount" when referring to countable nouns. The phrase is very common as shown in the Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reduced quantity of

Emphasizes the act of reducing the quantity.

a lesser quantity of

Highlights that the quantity is less than something else.

a lower volume of

Specifically refers to the amount of space occupied.

a diminished quantity of

Suggests a gradual reduction in the amount.

a lighter measure of

Indicates a less substantial or significant amount.

a trimmed portion of

Implies that something has been cut back to reduce the amount.

a concise allocation of

Highlights efficient and limited distribution.

a minimal segment of

Emphasizes the small and insignificant nature of the amount.

a scarce supply of

Indicates that the amount available is limited and difficult to obtain.

a dwindling reserve of

Suggests a gradual depletion of the available amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "a smaller amount of" to indicate a reduced quantity of something, such as "We used "a smaller amount of sugar" in the recipe to reduce the sweetness".

What are some alternatives to "a smaller amount of"?

Alternatives include "less of", "a reduced quantity of", or "a lower volume of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a smaller amount of people"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. "Amount" is generally used with uncountable nouns. For countable nouns like "people", use "fewer". The correct phrase would be "fewer people".

What's the difference between "a smaller amount of" and "less of"?

"A smaller amount of" is typically used with uncountable nouns, while "less of" can be used more broadly. However, in many contexts, they are interchangeable. For instance, you can say "less effort" or "a smaller amount of effort".