an insignificant amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an insignificant amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity that is so small that it has little to no impact or importance. Example: "The donation was appreciated, but it was ultimately an insignificant amount compared to the total needed for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It just touches an insignificant amount of workers".

The Guardian

"Sport represents an insignificant amount of our turnover.

Independent

It's not a complete washout, but neither is it an insignificant amount of water.

The Guardian - Music

Thin in texture and flavor, bolognese sauce had an insignificant amount of meat.

The New York Times

And it's not an insignificant amount of money I've thrown at this".

The Guardian

But, as he notes, "that's not an insignificant amount of money".

The Guardian

The amount in dispute is just $25 million, an insignificant amount for the bank.

The New York Times

That's not an insignificant amount of money, and obviously all the candidates wanted to win it.

The Guardian

While not an insignificant amount, the figure is a far cry from the $30 million the magazine lost in 1993, Ms. Brown's first full year.

The New York Times

He will need all his steel as a leader if he is to succeed – and, one senses, not an insignificant amount of luck.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is notable that discrimination awards are uncapped and so it is possible that such an award in these circumstances will not be an insignificant amount," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an insignificant amount", ensure the context clearly establishes what the amount is insignificant compared to. This provides necessary perspective and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an insignificant amount" when the amount is actually substantial relative to a specific baseline. For instance, while $100 might seem small, it is not "an insignificant amount" for someone with no income.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an insignificant amount" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It describes a quantity that is so small as to be unimportant or negligible. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an insignificant amount" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a quantity that is too small to be important or impactful. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts. While its meaning is straightforward, it's crucial to provide context to what the amount is insignificant compared to, avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a negligible quantity" or "a trivial amount" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a negligible quantity

Replaces "amount" with "quantity" and uses "negligible" which emphasizes the unimportance of the quantity.

a minimal quantity

Uses "minimal" to denote the least possible amount.

a trivial quantity

Uses "trivial" to highlight the lack of importance or consequence of the amount.

a trifling amount

Substitutes "insignificant" with "trifling" which suggests the amount is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a derisory amount

Adopts "derisory" to mean so small as to be laughable or ridiculous.

a small quantity

Uses "small" instead of "insignificant" focusing on the size rather than the importance.

a paltry sum

Uses "paltry" which implies the sum is contemptibly small.

an inconsequential sum

Replaces "amount" with "sum" and emphasizes that the sum is not important or impactful.

next to nothing

Expresses that the amount is so close to zero as to be practically non-existent.

virtually nothing

Replaces the entire phrase with an expression indicating almost complete absence.

FAQs

How can I use "an insignificant amount" in a sentence?

You can use "an insignificant amount" to describe something that is small or unimportant in quantity or effect. For example, "The error affected "an insignificant amount" of data."

What are some alternatives to "an insignificant amount"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a negligible quantity", "a trivial amount", or "a minimal quantity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each of these emphasizes the small or unimportant nature of the amount.

When is it appropriate to use "an insignificant amount"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that the quantity being discussed is so small that it doesn't warrant serious consideration or concern. Make sure the context clearly defines what it's insignificant relative to.

What is the difference between "an insignificant amount" and "an insufficient amount"?

"An insignificant amount" refers to the size or impact being small. "An insufficient amount"/s/an+insufficient+amount, on the other hand, means there isn't enough of something to meet a particular need or requirement.