an unspecified quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unspecified quantity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an amount that is not defined or quantified, often in contexts involving measurements or quantities. Example: "The recipe calls for an unspecified quantity of sugar, so you can adjust it to your taste."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Mr. Huffer is accused of selling an unspecified quantity of marijuana from his sign shop in Oyster Bay and from his Locust Valley home.

The New York Times

The group, which has twice secretly destroyed an unspecified quantity of arms in front of international monitors, said it would discuss a "third act of putting arms beyond use".

The New York Times

Sold in fancy-looking wine bottles, priced at forty-five dollars each, the juice — a supersweet, brownish-purple concoction, contains an unspecified quantity of freeze-dried açaí pulp, along with eighteen other juice concentrates.

The New Yorker

In a previously unpublicised letter to MPs last year, Mr Cable acknowledged that his officials had authorised the export of an unspecified quantity of the chemicals in the knowledge that they were listed on an international schedule of chemical weapon precursors.

Independent

The additional episode order from TLC includes Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas "HOLLAday" specials and an unspecified quantity of new episodes.

Huffington Post

The trade and use of pepper in this period has been supported with evidence of mineralized black pepper at three Northern Province sites recovered in the 1990s, and from the Vindolanda tablets which record the purchase of an unspecified quantity of pepper for two denarii.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Committed to converting entire range to Rspo by 2015 *POOR Tesco: Bought unspecified quantity of GreenPalm certificates for in-store bakery and a few other products.

Independent

They also received an unspecified amount of pay and benefits.

The New York Times

It will also assume an unspecified amount of debt.

The New York Times

They fled with an unspecified amount of cash.

The New York Times

John Menzies will also assume an unspecified amount of Ogden debt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If precision is not essential, using "an unspecified quantity of" can avoid unnecessary detail and keep the writing concise.

Common error

Avoid providing contradictory details immediately after using "an unspecified quantity of". For example, don't say "an unspecified quantity of sugar, about 200 grams", as it defeats the purpose of being unspecified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unspecified quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating an amount that is not precisely defined. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns like "marijuana", "arms", "juice", "chemicals", and "new episodes". Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unspecified quantity of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote an amount that is not precisely defined. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedic entries, and scientific writings. It conveys that the exact quantity is either unknown, irrelevant, or deliberately not stated. While this phrase appears across many domains, it is most frequently found in "News & Media" contexts. When employing this phrase, be mindful of not contradicting its meaning by providing specific details afterward. Consider using alternatives like "an undetermined amount of" or "an undefined portion of" to tailor the nuance to your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an undetermined amount of

Replaces "quantity" with "amount" and "unspecified" with "undetermined", emphasizing the lack of a fixed value.

an undefined portion of

Substitutes "quantity" with "portion", suggesting a part of a whole without a precise measure.

a certain amount of

Uses "certain" to indicate that the amount exists but is not explicitly stated.

an unknown volume of

Replaces "quantity" with "volume", implying a measurement of space or capacity that is not known.

an unquantified measure of

Uses "unquantified" to stress the absence of a numerical value or measurement.

an indistinct amount of

The word indistinct emphasizes the lack of clarity or precision regarding the amount.

a variable amount of

Variable suggests the amount can change or is not fixed.

some unspecified amount of

Adding "some" indicates the existence of an amount without specifying how much.

an approximate amount of

Approximate indicates that the amount is an estimation and not precise.

an unstated number of

Replaces quantity with number emphasizing the count of items is not explicit.

FAQs

How can I use "an unspecified quantity of" in a sentence?

Use "an unspecified quantity of" when you want to indicate that the exact amount or number is not known, relevant, or necessary to specify. For example, "The recipe requires "an unspecified quantity of" water."

What are some alternatives to "an unspecified quantity of"?

You can use alternatives like "an undetermined amount of", "an undefined portion of", or "a certain amount of" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific or use "an unspecified quantity of"?

It depends on the context. If precision is important, provide the exact quantity. If the exact amount is unknown, irrelevant, or variable, then "an unspecified quantity of" is appropriate.

What does "an unspecified quantity of" imply?

It implies that the exact amount or number is either unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally not being disclosed. This can be useful in situations where the precise amount is not critical to the understanding or outcome.