arbitrary amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arbitrary amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity that is not fixed or predetermined, often implying that the specific amount is chosen without a specific reason. Example: "You can donate an arbitrary amount to the charity, as every little bit helps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It's an arbitrary amount.

The Guardian - Music

Supporters acknowledge that the $100 million was an arbitrary amount that will not come close to covering the actual cost.

The New York Times

Cutting any arbitrary amount — like $100 billion — from discretionary spending will not result in meaningful long-term deficit reduction because deficits are not driven by discretionary spending.

The New York Times

The appraisers, however, say the complainers are singing off tune, confusing them (or more likely, trying to confuse them) with the difference between the appraised value of a property and the selling price -- the latter a purely arbitrary amount that a buyer is willing to pay.

The New York Times

They are also alarmingly widespread, particularly in, for example, the hospitality industry (where an arbitrary amount of tips can be counted as salary), and the social care sector (where carers are sometimes not paid for the travelling time between clients' homes).

Independent

"If, as is widely predicted, pensions tax relief is reduced to an arbitrary amount [say to 30 per cent – a reduction on the 45 per cent relief now enjoyed by those earning more than £150,000), then something would likely be done to stop workers getting around this reduction by sacrificing more of their salary directly into their pension funds instead.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

But more often than not, the decisions seem arbitrary, amounting to dissidence on the consumer level — something that Susan Sontag and other cultural critics complained about in the 1990s.

The New York Times

TalkTalk cannot explain why arbitrary amounts of money then continued to be taken from your account each month, sometimes for the agreed £9.99, sometimes for as much as £40.99.

The Guardian - Money

In a lecture given in the closing weeks of 1900, he described his bizarre proto-theory that when light and matter interact, energy cannot be transferred in arbitrary amounts, as would be expected on the basis of Newton's account.

The New York Times - Books

Therefore, we chose a virtual globe as a camera simulator providing arbitrary amounts of training and test data.

Pattern Recognition

The sender (transmitter) gets replenished with arbitrary amounts of energy as well as data packets of arbitrary length destined to each user at arbitrary points in time.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arbitrary amount", ensure the context clarifies why the amount is unspecified or random. This avoids confusion and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Don't assume that "arbitrary amount" implies a small quantity. It simply means the amount isn't fixed or rationally determined. An arbitrary amount can be large or small depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arbitrary amount" primarily functions as a noun phrase modifier, where "arbitrary" is an adjective describing the noun "amount". It indicates that the quantity is not fixed, predetermined, or based on a rational system. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arbitrary amount" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a quantity chosen without a specific reason or system. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse fields like Science, News & Media and Wiki. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context clarifies the reason for the lack of specificity and avoid assuming it always implies a small quantity. Related phrases like "random quantity" or "unspecified quantity" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. Pay attention to the usage guidance to prevent common errors and enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

random quantity

Emphasizes the lack of predictability or pattern in the amount.

unspecified quantity

Highlights that the amount has not been explicitly stated or defined.

discretionary sum

Suggests the amount is determined by someone's judgment or choice.

gratuitous quantity

Implies the amount is excessive or unnecessary.

unwarranted quantity

Highlights that the amount is unjustified or without reason.

nominal sum

Suggests that the quantity is a small or insignificant value.

unfixed amount

Emphasizes that amount is not permanent or established

undefined quantity

Focuses on the lack of defined parameter for the amount.

variable amount

Highlights that the amount can change or differ.

subjective quantity

Emphasizes that the amount is based on personal opinions and beliefs, and therefore may not be consistent.

FAQs

What does "arbitrary amount" mean?

The phrase "arbitrary amount" refers to a quantity or value that is not based on any specific or rational reason but rather is chosen randomly or without a clear standard. It implies a lack of predictability or predetermination.

How to use "arbitrary amount" in a sentence?

You can use "arbitrary amount" to describe things like donations, budget allocations, or experimental parameters where the specific value is not predetermined or crucial. Example: "You can donate an "arbitrary amount" to the charity."

What are some alternatives to "arbitrary amount"?

Alternatives include "random quantity", "unspecified quantity", or "discretionary sum depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "arbitrary number" instead of "arbitrary amount"?

While both can be used, "arbitrary amount" is more appropriate when referring to a quantity of something that can be measured, while "arbitrary number" is more suitable when referring to a specific numerical value. For example, it's more common to say "an arbitrary amount of water" than "an arbitrary number of water".