a trace amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trace amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small quantity of something, often in scientific or technical contexts. Example: "The sample contained a trace amount of lead, which raised concerns about contamination."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And only a trace amount of nicotine".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He would also like to see drug thresholds reduced to where only a trace amount of medication is permitted.

The Guardian - Sport

"Nothing on the labels of those supplements indicated that they contained a trace amount" of a prohibited substance.

The New York Times - Sports

There is a trace amount of alcohol in this ginger beer, anywhere from 0.2%to0.4%4% in total.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A blood test done at the hospital on Wednesday evening revealed a trace amount of alcohol in his blood, the fire official said.

The New York Times

Despite a trace amount of viola playing, she's determined to present herself as a singer-songwriter and not some moonlighting product of the conservatory.

The New York Times

On urinalysis the patient had a trace amount of blood.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

A trace amount of sulfur which is detected comes from the TG.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Catalysts with a trace amount of residual K exhibited higher catalytic activities than those without.

Catalysis Today

The Pt/Au structures prepared with a trace amount of platinum show extremely high electrocatalytic activity.

Electrochimica Acta

To accurately monitor a trace amount of palladium species in water system is both medically and environmentally important.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a trace amount of", ensure the context clearly indicates why the small quantity is relevant. For example, in scientific contexts, even a trace amount can have significant effects.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of "a trace amount of" something if its presence is genuinely negligible for the overall outcome. Accurately reflect its limited influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trace amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun is present in a very small quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a trace amount of" is a versatile expression used to indicate a very small quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and prevalent, especially in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives such as "a minute quantity of" or "a negligible amount of" exist, "a trace amount of" effectively conveys the presence of something minimal. Remember to avoid overstating the significance of trace amounts when their impact is genuinely negligible. With a source quality score of 83 and frequent appearance in authoritative sources like ScienceDirect and The New York Times, this phrase remains a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minute quantity of

Replaces "trace" with "minute", emphasizing the extremely small size of the quantity.

a negligible amount of

Uses "negligible" to highlight that the quantity is so small it's practically insignificant.

a tiny fraction of

Emphasizes the smallness by framing it as a fraction.

a soupçon of

Borrowed from French, this word adds a hint of elegance and means a very small amount.

a hint of

More informal, suggesting a subtle presence.

a speck of

Implies a very small particle or amount.

a vestige of

Suggests a remaining trace of something that was once more substantial.

an iota of

Uses "iota" to denote an extremely small quantity.

a smidgen of

Informal term for a very small amount.

a dash of

Often used when referring to adding ingredients, but can be used figuratively.

FAQs

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

Use "a trace amount of" to indicate a very small quantity of something is present. For example, "The water sample contained "a trace amount of" lead."

What's an alternative to saying "a trace amount of"?

You can use phrases like "a minute quantity of", "a negligible amount of", or "a tiny fraction of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a trace amount of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a trace amount of" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, technical, or legal contexts where precise quantification is important.

Can "a trace amount of" have significant consequences?

Yes, in some cases, even "a trace amount of" a substance can have significant effects, particularly if it's a toxic substance or a catalyst in a chemical reaction.