in a small amount of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a small amount of time" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to describe something which was done quickly - in a shorter period of time than expected or suggested. Example: "With hard work and dedication, I was able to complete my project in a small amount of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"The whole issue is you get completely crushed with enormous orders in a small amount of time," he says.

The New York Times - Tech

"The value to the students is that in a small amount of time they're going to stretch their limitations to try to work quicker, more precisely," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

The Abbott government, on the other hand, has done a lot in a small amount of time to dismantle Howard's investments and measures.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then part of it is to go back over, work with the guys that we've selected and in a small amount of time try and get them up to speed on the ins and outs of rugby union".

The Guardian - Sport

Superb quality kits can be achieved in a small amount of time (see video).

TechCrunch

We've moved from being very small to very large in a small amount of time," he says.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In just a small amount of time, direct sunlight will fade the brilliance of the potpourri.

WikiHow

Those of us in higher education have a small amount of time to stop and think.

The New York Times

This will take a small amount of time in the beginning, but save you time in the long term.

WikiHow

I spent a small amount of time in a pity party of my own making.

Huffington Post

Outnumbering him gives him more targets in a smaller amount of time.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a small amount of time" to emphasize the speed with which a task was accomplished, especially when contrasting it with the effort involved.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when describing what can be achieved "in a small amount of time"; instead, focus on active accomplishments. For instance, instead of "Progress was made in a small amount of time", write "We made significant progress in a small amount of time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a small amount of time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the duration within which an action occurs. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correctly used in English to denote swiftness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a small amount of time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the brevity of duration of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, highlighting its versatility across various contexts. From news reports to scientific publications, this phrase effectively communicates the speed and efficiency with which something occurs. While alternatives such as "quickly" and "rapidly" exist, "in a small amount of time" provides a specific focus on the limited duration involved. Be sure to use it in an active voice for more impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in no time

An idiomatic way of saying something will happen very quickly.

quickly

Focuses on the speed of the action itself, removing the reference to a specific time period.

rapidly

Implies a high rate of speed, suggesting continuous and fast progress.

promptly

Highlights the immediacy and lack of delay in the action.

expeditiously

Emphasizes efficiency and speed in achieving a result.

in short order

An idiomatic expression meaning something will happen or be done soon.

briefly

Stresses the shortness of the duration, focusing on the time spent.

before long

Indicates that something will happen relatively soon.

in a jiffy

An informal idiom for doing something very quickly.

momentarily

Implies something will happen in a very short time, almost instantly.

FAQs

How can I use "in a small amount of time" in a sentence?

You can use "in a small amount of time" to describe how quickly something was done or achieved. For example, "The project was completed "in a small amount of time" thanks to the team's dedication".

What are some alternatives to "in a small amount of time"?

Some alternatives include "quickly", "rapidly", or "in no time". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "in a short amount of time" or "in a small amount of time"?

Both "in a short amount of time" and "in a small amount of time" are acceptable. "Short" emphasizes brevity, while "small" emphasizes quantity. Use whichever best fits the context.

What's the difference between "in a small amount of time" and "quickly"?

"In a small amount of time" is a phrase that specifies the duration, while "quickly" is an adverb that describes the manner in which something is done. For example, "He finished the task "quickly"" versus "He finished the task "in a small amount of time"".