a smidgen of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a smidgen of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to an extremely small amount of something. For example, "I added a smidgen of sugar to the cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A smidgen of sex and a spot of inhaling.

The New York Times

There may be a smidgen of political calculus there.

The Economist

For now, though, there's a smidgen of help.

The New York Times

Not a smidgen of anxiety on his face.

The Guardian - Film

We carry inside our cells a smidgen of Neanderthal DNA.

The Guardian

Hakeem Olajuwon has a smidgen of the Dream Shake left.

The New York Times - Sports

Women and children appear in "Faster," but they add only a smidgen of humanity.

The New York Times

But no defense feels a smidgen of anxiety when King lines up.

The New York Times

And the only one of these hormones under even a smidgen of voluntary control is insulin.

The New York Times - Health

But I also hoped to be entertained — to derive a smidgen of guilty pleasure.

The New Yorker

Creativity and charisma, coupled with a smidgen of ruthlessness, are necessary qualities for a successful boss.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a smidgen of" to add a touch of informal and playful language to your writing, particularly when describing small quantities or subtle qualities.

Common error

While "a smidgen of" can be effective, avoid using it excessively in formal or professional contexts where more precise language is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smidgen of" functions as a determiner phrase indicating a very small quantity of something. It modifies a noun, specifying that only a tiny amount is present. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a smidgen of" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a small quantity or degree. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used, especially in news and media contexts, to add a touch of informality or understatement. While not suitable for highly formal or scientific writing, it is perfectly acceptable in many other contexts. Alternatives like "a tiny bit of" or "a touch of" can be used to achieve similar effects, depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid over-informalizing your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny bit of

Replaces "smidgen" with "tiny bit", emphasizing the small amount.

a touch of

Substitutes "smidgen" with "touch", suggesting a delicate or subtle amount.

a hint of

Uses "hint" instead of "smidgen", implying an indirect or subtle presence.

a dash of

Replaces "smidgen" with "dash", often used for adding a small amount of something, especially in cooking.

a modicum of

Replaces "smidgen" with "modicum", indicating a small but acceptable quantity, often in more formal contexts.

a trace of

Substitutes "smidgen" with "trace", emphasizing a very faint presence.

a speck of

Uses "speck" instead of "smidgen", suggesting a tiny particle or amount.

a soupçon of

Replaces "smidgen" with the French term "soupçon", implying a very small amount and adding a touch of sophistication.

a scintilla of

Substitutes "smidgen" with "scintilla", indicating a trace or spark of something, often used in formal or literary contexts.

an iota of

Uses "iota" instead of "smidgen", referring to an extremely small quantity, almost negligible.

FAQs

How can I use "a smidgen of" in a sentence?

You can use "a smidgen of" to indicate a small amount of something. For example, "There's "a smidgen of" hope left" or "Add "a smidgen of" spice to the soup".

What's a more formal alternative to "a smidgen of"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a modicum of", "a small amount of", or "a trace of".

Is "smidgen" a common word?

"Smidgen" is a relatively common word, particularly in informal contexts. It adds a touch of playfulness to your writing. According to Ludwig, this expression is correct and usable in written English.

What is the difference between "a smidgen of" and "a bit of"?

Both "a smidgen of" and "a bit of" indicate a small quantity, but "a smidgen of" is slightly more informal and implies an even smaller amount than "a bit of".