amount less than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amount less than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying a quantity that is below a certain threshold or limit. Example: "The budget for this project should be an amount less than $10,000 to ensure we stay within our financial constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Isiah Thomas said a buyout, presumably for an amount less than that, was not an option.

The New York Times - Sports

Even a small amount (less than a microgram) is enough to kill a healthy adult.

The Economist

Her family is trying to negotiate with the landlord to allow her to stay for some amount less than that.

The New York Times

"The University of Puerto Rico is receiving a significant amount less than it has received in the past," he said.

The New York Times

Separately, the hotel pays taxes to local governments based on the price actually paid by the travel company — an amount less than the price the consumer pays.

The New York Times

Long-established employers, however, should be ashamed of themselves for employing people for an amount less than the bare minimum of what it costs to live in London.

The Guardian - Opinion

Composition, in modern law, an agreement among the creditors of an insolvent debtor to accept an amount less than they are owed, in order to receive immediate payment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While the amount, less than $100 million, was trivial by today's standards, the payment brought to a close one of the most poisonous chapters of the 20th century.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Snokist issued a statement last week, noting that reworked contaminated product comprise a "very small amount" -- less than 0.3percentt -- of their processed foods.

Huffington Post

Most of that water eventually is returned from whence it came, though a small amount--less than 4%--is lost to evaporation.

Science Magazine

The poorest half of the world's adults own less than one per cent of that amount less than two trillion dollars.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting budget limits or specifying maximum values, use "amount less than" to clearly define the upper bound, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. For instance, "The marketing budget should be an "amount less than" $5,000."

Common error

Avoid using "less than" when referring to countable items. "Less than" is appropriate for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less than" water), while "fewer than" is used for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer than" three apples). For example, it's incorrect to say "less than" three students; it should be "fewer than" three students.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amount less than" functions as a comparative quantifier, indicating that a certain quantity is smaller than a specified value. Ludwig AI considers this phrase grammatically correct and usable. It sets a clear upper limit without including the limit itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

40%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amount less than" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to denote quantities or values below a certain threshold. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts. Remember to distinguish between "less than" and "fewer than" for uncountable and countable nouns, respectively. By understanding its proper usage and exploring alternatives, you can effectively and accurately convey your intended meaning while avoiding common grammatical errors. "Amount less than" is a reliable choice for setting clear boundaries and expectations in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller quantity than

Replaces "amount" with "quantity" and uses "smaller" to emphasize the reduced size.

lower quantity than

Substitutes "amount" with "quantity" and employs "lower" to denote a decreased level.

less in quantity than

Emphasizes the aspect of quantity while indicating it is reduced.

under the threshold of

Uses a more formal structure, specifying that the amount is below a defined limit.

below the level of

Similar to "under the threshold", but uses "level" to indicate a comparative position.

not exceeding

Focuses on the maximum limit, ensuring the amount does not go over a certain value.

a reduced quantity compared to

States that the amount has been diminished relative to something else.

within the limit of

Highlights that the amount remains inside a specified boundary or constraint.

a volume inferior to

Replaces "amount" with "volume", suggesting a smaller size or extent.

a quantity inferior to

Replaces "amount" with "quantity", suggesting a smaller size or extent.

FAQs

How to use "amount less than" in a sentence?

Use "amount less than" to specify that a quantity or value is below a certain threshold. For example, "The expenditure should be an "amount less than" $1000." This phrase clarifies that the value must not exceed the specified limit.

What can I say instead of "amount less than"?

You can use alternatives like "smaller quantity than", "lower quantity than", or "below the level of depending on the context.

Which is correct, "amount less than" or "number less than"?

The correctness depends on the context. "Amount less than" is generally used for uncountable quantities (e.g., "an "amount less than" one liter of water"), while "number less than" is used for countable items (e.g., "a "number less than" ten employees").

What's the difference between "amount less than" and "no more than"?

"Amount less than" specifies a value that must be strictly below a certain limit, while "no more than" indicates that the value can be equal to or below that limit. For example, "an "amount less than" $50" means it has to be below $50, whereas "no more than $50" means it can be up to $50, but not exceed it.