a sprinkle of sugar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sprinkle of sugar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a small amount of sugar added to a recipe or dish for flavor enhancement. Example: "To balance the tartness of the lemon, add a sprinkle of sugar to the mixture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

KATHRYN SHATTUCK On last year's sinister club hit "Ima Read" by Zebra Katz, the rapper Njena Reddd Foxxx was, at least from a distance, a sprinkle of sugar, her voice tart and bright.

The New York Times - Arts

These are rather different from brunch pancakes – evening pancakes have a higher proportion of egg and are traditionally eaten with blueberries (bilberries), lingonberries, fruit compotes or just a sprinkle of sugar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Gratified, we attempted to fix Elizabeth Berg's French toast from her novel "Open House": "mix eggs and milk," she writes, "in a blue-and-yellow bowl" (my white bowl worked just fine) and "add a touch of vanilla, a sprinkle of sugar" and ta-da!

The New Yorker

He'd excitedly offer my dad cooking tips, like, "Put a sprinkle of sugar in there to get rid of the acid in the tomatoes". .

Vice

Once the meat(s) and spices have cooked for some time, the mustard greens are added and cooked slowly over medium heat for about an hour or so with a sprinkle of sugar to take away any tartness.

Huffington Post

Switch a sprinkle of sugar on your breakfast cereal for a topping of fresh or dried fruit, which counts towards one of your five a day.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There's a smear of plum sauce, a sprinkling of sugar and micro salad (with a slightly musty taste).

Independent

Add a spot of mayonnaise, custard and margarine, along with a sprinkling of sugar, to make a fruity bread pudding.

Independent

Even without a sprinkling of sugar on top, many commonly eaten cereals have GIs not far off this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The blueberries were everywhere, they said, and I should bring them home and have them with milk and a sprinkling of sugar.

The New York Times

(Brantley) * 'THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE' William Finn's score sounds plumper and more rewarding than it did Off Broadway, providing a sprinkling of sugar to complement the sass in Rachel Sheinkin's zinger-filled book.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sprinkle of sugar" in a recipe, specify the type of sugar (e.g., granulated, brown, powdered) if it significantly affects the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a sprinkle of sugar" in formal writing or professional contexts where precise measurements are expected. Use more accurate quantities instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sprinkle of sugar" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an adjunct within a larger clause. It quantifies the amount of sugar being added, typically in cooking or baking contexts. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase is used to express a small, imprecise quantity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sprinkle of sugar" is a noun phrase used to describe adding a small, imprecise amount of sugar, mostly found in news, media, and wiki contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While common, it's best to use precise measurements in formal settings. Related phrases include "a dash of sugar" and "a pinch of sugar". The phrase serves to provide a general guideline in cooking, emphasizing flavor enhancement rather than precise measurement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a light sprinkle of sugar

Adds "light" to emphasize the small quantity of sugar being added.

a dash of sugar

Replaces "sprinkle" with "dash", emphasizing a quick and small addition.

a pinch of sugar

Substitutes "sprinkle" with "pinch", suggesting a very small, measured amount.

a dusting of sugar

Uses "dusting" instead of "sprinkle", implying a light coating of sugar.

a scattering of sugar

Replaces "sprinkle" with "scattering", emphasizing the random distribution of sugar.

a touch of sweetness

Replaces "sugar" with the more general "sweetness", focusing on the flavor profile.

a hint of sugar

Employs "hint" to suggest a subtle and barely noticeable addition of sugar.

a small amount of sugar

Uses a more literal description to convey the small quantity.

a modest amount of sugar

Replaces "sprinkle" with "modest amount", emphasizing a judicious addition.

a suggestion of sugar

Uses "suggestion" to imply an even more subtle presence of sugar.

FAQs

How can I use "a sprinkle of sugar" in a recipe description?

You can use "a sprinkle of sugar" to indicate adding a small amount of sugar to enhance the flavor or balance acidity. For example, "Add "a sprinkle of sugar" to the tomato sauce to reduce its tartness."

What's a more precise alternative to "a sprinkle of sugar"?

Instead of "a sprinkle of sugar", you can use measurements like "a teaspoon of sugar" or "a quarter teaspoon of sugar" for more accurate baking and cooking results.

When is it appropriate to use "a sprinkle of sugar" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "a sprinkle of sugar" in informal writing or when providing general cooking instructions where precise measurements are not critical. It can also be used figuratively to describe adding something pleasant or enjoyable.

What can I say instead of "a sprinkle of sugar" to describe a minimal addition?

Consider alternatives like "a dash of sugar", "a pinch of sugar", or "a hint of sugar" to convey the idea of adding a very small amount.