a weak amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a weak amount of" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used when describing a quantity that is insufficient or lacking strength, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "The study revealed a weak amount of evidence to support the hypothesis."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It contains a weak amount of yolk compared to eggs of other free living Hymenoptera [13].

Plosone

This is illustrated by the reduction of the broad negative band at 222 nm, together with the replacement of the negative band at 208 nm by a larger band mostly centered at 198 nm that bears a component with positive tendency at 190 nm, signaling the presence of a weak amount of helix (dotted line curve in Fig. 3).

Plosone

A weak amount of bias could drive the entire association.

American Journal of Epidemiology

These results suggest that in caspase-8-silenced S-type NB cells, the low endogenous caspase-10 expression level is not sufficient to initiate apoptosis, even in the presence of a weak amount of caspase-8 protein.

Cell Death and Disease

It is interesting to notice that a weak amount of VBIC comonomer leads to a decrease in the average particle diameter, as generally observed in a radical surfactant-free emulsion polymerization when charged comonomer was used.

Colloid and Polymer Science

ShRNA-mediated caspase-8 knock-down experiments in SH-EP cells clearly indicated that the low endogenous caspase-10 expression level in NB cells was not sufficient to initiate an apoptotic cascade, even in the presence of a weak amount of residual caspase-8.

Cell Death and Disease

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The presence of extremely weak amount of ~63 kDa MT1-MMP form in the membrane fraction of CD44−/− osteoclasts suggests a role for CD44 in the membrane localization of MT1-MMP.

BioMed Research International

Three of the isolates (GF 3m-9, -10 and CONV-R 3m-2) did not show any detectable amounts of Ley-expression, and an additional number of isolates displayed only very weak amounts of this antigen in immunoblot experiments (Figure 6B).

Plosone

The federal government provides nearly half of the funds states spend to protect children along with much of the statutory framework, technical assistance, research, training and modest, if not weak, amounts of state oversight.

Huffington Post

HEK cell lines stably expressing GOLIM4 produced only weak amounts of full-length protein, as shown by Western blotting (Figure 3B, left panel).

Plosone

Contrasting the colors and the size of squares on the off-diagonal elements of all 2×2 blocks on the diagonal implies that the weakest amount of treatment effect deviation is observed between the effects in designs 1 2 and 2 3 as well as between the effects in 4 5 and 5 6, since the largest hat matrix elements are here as well the less intensive color.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a weak amount of", consider whether a more specific adjective (e.g., "small", "slight", "trace") would provide greater clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a weak amount of" can sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "a limited quantity of" or "a negligible amount of" in formal contexts. Choose vocabulary that suits the tone and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a weak amount of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a quantity that is both small and lacking in strength or effectiveness. While understandable, Ludwig AI suggests it's not the most common or stylistically strong choice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a weak amount of" is an acceptable but somewhat uncommon way to describe a quantity that is both small and lacking in strength or effectiveness. While grammatically sound, Ludwig AI analysis suggests that it may not always be the most stylistically impactful choice. Consider opting for alternatives such as "a small amount of" or "a limited quantity of" for improved clarity and conciseness. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately conveys the intended emphasis on both the limited size and the ineffectiveness of the quantity in question. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, its usage in more formal writing should be carefully considered against more polished alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small quantity of

Focuses on the limited size of the quantity.

a limited quantity of

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the quantity.

a slight amount of

Highlights the minimal degree of the amount.

a trace of

Implies an extremely small and barely detectable amount.

a modicum of

Suggests a small but perhaps sufficient or welcome amount, often used in formal contexts.

a scarcity of

Highlights the lack or shortage of something, rather than the small amount present.

a trickle of

Describes a very slow and small flow or amount.

an inadequate amount of

Focuses on the insufficiency or lack of enough of something.

a negligible amount of

Indicates the amount is so small it can be disregarded.

a reduced amount of

Highlights the decrease or lessening of the quantity.

FAQs

What does "a weak amount of" mean?

The phrase "a weak amount of" refers to a quantity that is small and also suggests that the quantity lacks strength, force, or effectiveness. It implies that the amount is not only limited but also insufficient to achieve a desired result.

Is it better to say "a small amount of" or "a weak amount of"?

"A small amount of" is generally preferred because it's more direct and widely understood. "A weak amount of" might be suitable when you specifically want to emphasize the ineffectiveness or lack of impact of the quantity, but it can sometimes sound awkward.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a weak amount of"?

The phrase "a weak amount of" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that a small quantity is also ineffective or lacks the necessary strength to achieve a particular outcome. However, consider whether a more common or direct phrase might be clearer and more impactful.

What are some alternatives to saying "a weak amount of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a small quantity of", "a limited amount of", "a slight amount of", or "a negligible amount of". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.