little amount

USAGE SUMMARY

"little amount" is correct and usable in written English.
You use it when you want to refer to a very small quantity of something. For example, "There was a little amount of food left on the plate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In contrast, RK13 cells infected with m8Δ/RT1AlSCNLEnv371L induced little amount of IFN- γ secretion by the Tax-specific CTLs.

BioMed Research International

"It made a nice, little amount of money," he told Stern.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As a symbol, though, that little amount of time loomed large.

The New York Times

The oil contains a little amount of asphaltene (1 wt%).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

"A very little amount, but the result is clear".

Science Magazine

As little amount of esters were added in, the saturation vapor pressure was depressed obviously.

Chemistry Central Journal

On postoperative day (POD) 1, there was a little amount of bleeding from the nasogastric tube.

Surgical Case Reports

Grey prediction model has good results when only having a little amount of data.

Journal of Big Data

Consequently, a very little amount of remnant solution would stay in the tumors.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This pasty mass was washed with little amount of hot ethanol and then with 50 mL of dry ether.

Chemistry Central Journal

The organic matter is chiefly characterized by kerogen Type-III with only a little amount of kerogen Type-II.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little amount", ensure the context clarifies what is being measured, especially when precision is important. For example, specify "a little amount of sugar" instead of just "a little amount".

Common error

Avoid using "little amount" with countable nouns. "Little" is typically used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "little water"), while "few" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "few apples"). Instead of "a little amount of apples", say "a small number of apples" or "few apples".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little amount" primarily functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a small quantity of something that is typically uncountable. As Ludwig AI shows, it is frequently used to describe quantities in various contexts, highlighting its descriptive function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little amount" is a common phrase used to describe a small quantity, primarily with uncountable nouns. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in scientific, news, and wiki contexts. It's essential to avoid using it with countable nouns; instead, use "few" or "small number of". For more formal or precise writing, consider alternatives like "small quantity" or "modicum". Ensuring proper usage will enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small quantity

Replaces 'amount' with 'quantity', emphasizing the measurable aspect of something that is not much.

modicum

Indicates a very small or moderate amount, often used in formal contexts.

touch

Suggests a slight addition or presence of something.

iota

Refers to an extremely small quantity; implies insignificance.

smattering

Implies a small, superficial quantity, often of knowledge or experience.

dash

Used mainly for liquids or powders, suggesting a quick, small addition.

speck

Signifies a tiny particle or amount, often something visible but insignificant.

tinge

Suggests a slight influence or trace of something.

mere bit

Indicates that the amount is so small it is almost dismissible or insignificant.

fraction

Highlights that the amount is a part of a whole, usually a very small part.

FAQs

How can I use "little amount" in a sentence?

Use "little amount" to describe a small quantity of something uncountable. For example, "There was a "little amount" of rain this week".

What's a good alternative to "little amount" that still conveys a small quantity?

Alternatives include "small quantity", "modicum", or "touch" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a little amount of apples"?

No, it's not. "Little" is for uncountable nouns. For countable nouns like "apples", use "few" or "small number of". So, the correct phrase is "a "small number of" apples".

What is the difference between "little amount" and "small amount"?

While both indicate a reduced quantity, "little amount" often emphasizes deficiency or scarcity, whereas "small amount" is a more neutral term simply referring to size.