a trickle of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a trickle of" is a grammatically correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or slow amount of something. For example: - A trickle of sweat ran down his forehead as he finished the race. - The water from the faucet came out in a steady trickle. - With just a trickle of money left, they had to budget carefully for the rest of the month. - The news of her success caused a trickle of excitement to spread through the office. - The old man's memories came back in a slow trickle, each one more vivid than the last.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That follows a trickle of corruption scandals.

The Economist

There's a trickle of singles.

The Guardian - Sport

A trickle of residents wandered by.

The New York Times

A trickle of new releases could keep things inching forward.

The Economist

A trickle of real blood laced down each forearm.

The New York Times

A trickle of three-dimensional films appeared in 2009.

The Economist

Even a trickle of cash translates quite directly into damage.

The Economist

The afternoon shift change disgorged a trickle of workers.

The New York Times

Only a trickle of foreigners come regularly to North Korea.

The New York Times - Arts

Add a trickle of sunflower oil to the pan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Last time, we had a trickle of résumés.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trickle of" to describe a gradual or minimal flow or occurrence, emphasizing the small amount involved. It's effective when highlighting the scarcity or slowness of something.

Common error

Avoid using "a trickle of" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or quantitative language might be expected. For instance, instead of saying "a trickle of research", specify the number of studies or the percentage of findings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trickle of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, modifying the noun to indicate a small or gradual amount. It suggests a minimal flow or occurrence, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples showing it used with "blood", "water", and "revenue".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Lifestyle

7%

Sports

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trickle of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates a small or gradual flow or occurrence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's commonly found in news and media contexts, though less frequent in formal academic writing. While generally acceptable, it's best to consider the context and opt for more precise language in highly formal settings. Related phrases like "a smattering of" or "a soupçon of" can provide nuanced alternatives, but understanding their specific connotations is essential. Using "a trickle of" effectively involves recognizing its implications of minimal quantity and flow, while avoiding overuse in contexts that demand greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dribble of

Suggests a slow, leaking flow, often of a liquid.

a soupçon of

Borrowed from French, emphasizing a barely perceptible amount, often in a culinary context but applicable more widely.

a smattering of

Implies a very small, scattered amount, often suggesting incompleteness or superficiality.

a dash of

Implies adding a small amount quickly and often casually.

a scattering of

Suggests a dispersed and sparse distribution of items or occurrences.

a sprinkling of

Denotes a light, scattered distribution, similar to scattering seeds.

a modicum of

Indicates a limited, but perhaps sufficient, amount of something, often implying a basic level is met.

a whisper of

Highlights a faint, almost imperceptible presence or indication.

a hint of

Refers to a subtle or slight indication, often used for abstract qualities or flavors.

a shade of

Suggests a slight degree or variation, particularly in color or emotion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a trickle of" to describe a small or gradual flow of something, such as "a trickle of water" or "a trickle of information".

What's a good alternative to "a trickle of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a small amount of", "a limited quantity of", or "a gradual flow of" to convey a similar meaning.

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

While grammatically correct, "a trickle of" might be considered too informal for some academic or professional contexts. Consider using more precise language, such as "a minimal amount of" or specifying quantities.

What does "a trickle of" imply about the quantity or flow?

The phrase "a trickle of" implies that the quantity is small and the flow is slow or gradual. It suggests that something is happening, but only in a minimal way.