a smallest amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smallest amount of" is not correct in standard English; it should be "the smallest amount of." You can use "the smallest amount of" when referring to the least quantity or degree of something in a specific context.
Example: "Please add the smallest amount of salt to the recipe to enhance the flavor without overpowering it."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But a particle would have to be a smallest amount of some type of ingredient, occupying some space all by itself with no other type of ingredient in it.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

With perhaps a small amount of prodding.

The New York Times

A gravita - a small amount of seriousness?

The Guardian - Books

Just a small amount of "Lancastrian French".

The Guardian

It contains a small amount of aromatic musqué-clone chardonnay.

The New York Times

I'd also done a small amount of research.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The diet includes a small amount of wine with meals.

The Guardian

"We make a small amount of money," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

If pan is dry, add a small amount of oil.

The New York Times - Style

I managed to do a small amount of interrogation myself.

The Guardian

Brush the dough with a small amount of beaten egg.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to express the idea of a minimal quantity, use the grammatically correct phrase "the smallest amount of" instead of "a smallest amount of".

Common error

Avoid using the indefinite article "a" before superlative adjectives like "smallest". Using "the" indicates a specific, minimal quantity, while "a" implies there could be multiple 'smallest' amounts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smallest amount of" functions as a determiner phrase attempting to specify a minimal quantity of something. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "the smallest amount of".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a smallest amount of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests using "the smallest amount of" instead. While the intention is to indicate a minimal quantity, the incorrect use of the article undermines its formal usage. Though found in diverse sources like news and science, its infrequency and grammatical issues suggest using alternative phrasings for clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the smallest amount of

Uses the definite article "the" for grammatical correctness, implying a specific minimum quantity.

the least amount of

Replaces "smallest" with "least", which is grammatically sound and semantically similar.

a minimum quantity of

Substitutes "amount" with the more formal "quantity", retaining the sense of minimality.

a trace of

Indicates an extremely small amount, often barely perceptible.

a hint of

Implies a very slight presence or degree of something.

a dash of

Refers to a small quantity, typically used for ingredients.

a touch of

Similar to "a hint of", suggesting a subtle presence.

a modicum of

Indicates a small but acceptable or useful amount.

a particle of

Refers to a tiny, often indivisible, portion of something.

a sliver of

Implies a very thin or narrow piece or amount.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "a smallest amount of"?

The grammatically correct way to express this idea is "the smallest amount of". Using "the" makes it definite.

Is "a smallest amount of" ever correct?

No, "a smallest amount of" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "the smallest amount of".

What can I use instead of "a smallest amount of"?

Alternatives include "the least amount of", "a minimal amount of", or "a tiny bit of", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "a small amount of" and "a smallest amount of"?

"A small amount of" refers to a quantity that is not large. "The smallest amount of" refers to the absolute minimum quantity possible and is the correct phrase to use.