dash of sugar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'dash of sugar' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to refer to a very small amount of sugar, such as that which is added to coffee or tea. For example, "I like my tea with just a dash of sugar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

One study found kids were more likely to eat broccoli if a dash of sugar was added to it.

The Guardian

Like a dash of sugar for good measure, Ms. Savini tossed in a mention of Mr. Amante's two compact discs.

The New York Times

A small dash of sugar (or artificial sweetener) and a splash of milk is okay, but go easy on the extras like flavored syrups and whipped cream.

Harvard University

Ripe tomatoes (and they must be ripe) come off as sweet, and when combined with the onions, to which I added a dash of sugar, together they tempered the acidity of the wine.

The New York Times - Food

The Berenstains' rigid problem-solution plots, and problem-solving prescriptions, are straightforward and without nuance, cut and dried, spinach with a dash of sugar.

Los Angeles Times

Two non-alcoholic drinks are lassi, a yogurt-and-ground-cumin favorite, and fresh lime juice with soda water, a dash of sugar, salt or pepper.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Add in a dash of brown sugar and honey, if you'd like.

WikiHow

Made of long-simmered beets with dashes of salt, sugar and vinegar, it is deep red and crystalline, like melted garnets.

The New York Times

Strong builder's, dash of milk, no sugar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His spoon bread with corn could appear without apologies at any dinner, especially with the dash of nutmeg, brown sugar and cayenne he suggests.

The New York Times - Books

You can add a dash of salt or sugar to the mixture before baking to add more flavor.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dash of sugar" when you want to convey that only a very small amount of sugar is needed, not enough to significantly alter the overall flavor profile, but just enough to provide a subtle sweetness.

Common error

Avoid overusing "dash of sugar" in your writing. While descriptive, repeated use can become monotonous. Vary your vocabulary with alternatives like "pinch", "hint", or "touch" of sugar/s/pinch+of+sugar to add nuance and interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dash of sugar" functions primarily as a noun phrase that specifies a quantity, specifically a small amount of sugar. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dash of sugar" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate adding a small amount of sugar. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is appropriate in various contexts, from casual recipes to more formal writing, and serves to specify a minor addition for flavor. Consider using alternatives like "pinch of sugar" or "touch of sugar" to vary your language and avoid repetition. While versatile, be mindful of overusing the phrase and explore more descriptive language when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pinch of sugar

Uses "pinch" instead of "dash", referring to a small amount, but emphasizing taking it with fingers.

smidgen of sugar

Replaces "dash" with "smidgen", indicating an even smaller, almost negligible amount of sugar.

touch of sugar

Substitutes "dash" with "touch", suggesting a very slight addition of sugar to enhance flavor.

hint of sugar

Employs "hint" in place of "dash", conveying a subtle presence of sugar that is barely noticeable.

spoonful of sugar

Replaces "dash" with "spoonful", indicates adding a slightly more significant amount of sugar.

sprinkle of sugar

Uses "sprinkle" instead of "dash", indicating scattering a small amount of sugar over something.

drop of sugar

Substitutes "dash" with "drop", conveying the idea of adding sugar in liquid form or a tiny amount.

mite of sugar

Uses "mite" instead of "dash", suggesting a very minimal quantity of sugar.

whisper of sugar

Replaces "dash" with "whisper", indicating a barely detectable presence of sugar.

modicum of sugar

Substitutes "dash" with "modicum", suggesting a small but sufficient quantity of sugar.

FAQs

How do I use "dash of sugar" in a sentence?

You can use "dash of sugar" to describe adding a small amount of sugar to something, such as "I added a "dash of sugar" to my coffee to sweeten it slightly."

What can I say instead of "dash of sugar"?

You can use alternatives like "pinch of sugar", "smidgen of sugar", or "touch of sugar" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "dash of sugar" or "teaspoon of sugar"?

"Dash of sugar" implies a smaller, less precise amount than "teaspoon of sugar". Use ""dash of sugar"" when you want to convey a very small, almost negligible amount, and "teaspoon of sugar" when you want to be more specific.

Can "dash of sugar" be used figuratively?

While primarily used literally to describe adding sugar, "dash of" can be used figuratively to mean a small amount of something added for flavor or effect, for example, "a "dash of humor"".