meager amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meager amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insufficient quantity of something. Example: "The charity received a meager amount of donations this year, which limited their ability to help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The nation cannot advance, he has said, on the meager amount of capital that domestic businesses generate.

The New York Times

No doubt you'll find tales that our body armor is in short supply, and that the meager amount of gear we do possess is ineffective.

The New York Times

A random survey of parking recently showed that people in Chinatown were left with a meager amount of street space after various law enforcement officials had parked for the day.

The New York Times

On Saturday, Mr. Khan, whose carpentry shop in Kandahar, and thus his livelihood, had been damaged by American bombs, bought a meager amount of cookies from Ghulam Rasoul Faizi, a former professor who had been fired by the Taliban.

The New York Times

Seared dayboat scallops sounded luscious, with the menu promising broccoli, flageolets, sun-dried tomatoes and pearl onions, but the dish was a tease; great scallops, lots of flageolets and a meager amount of other vegetables.

The New York Times

But because this meager amount of activity occurred more than a week into the free-agency period, when things should be hopping, it raised the question as to whether the nation's economic crisis is affecting baseball's marketplace.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

We suggest that microbial species exquisitely adapted to survive with meager amounts of liquid water7 quickly perished from osmotic shock after the flooding.

Nature

Here we show that the sudden and massive input of water in regions that have remained hyperarid for millions of years is harmful for most of the surface soil microbial species, which are exquisitely adapted to survive with meager amounts of liquid water, and quickly perish from osmotic shock when water becomes suddenly abundant.

Nature

The other major "yeah, but" often cited when dealing with re-election numbers is that while meager amounts of people say most Members of Congress should be re-elected, they are much more charitable when it comes to their own Member.

The Washington Post

But across the western United States, high temperatures and meager amounts of snowfall are causing havoc. .

Vice

Untrained in the arts of street marketing, they bring in meager amounts of cash from tourists who are moved by their innocent and desperate gazes.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meager amount of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking or insufficient. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing scarcity or inadequacy, such as "a meager amount of funding" or "a meager amount of resources".

Common error

Avoid using "meager amount of" when the quantity, although small, is still adequate or appropriate for the situation. Ensure the small quantity genuinely represents a deficiency, or it can sound exaggerated or inappropriate. For example, avoid saying "a meager amount of salt" when the recipe only calls for a pinch.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meager amount of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a small and often inadequate quantity. This can be seen in Ludwig examples such as "a meager amount of street space" or "a meager amount of funding". Ludwig AI confirm this is the correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "meager amount of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a small and often inadequate quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively highlights scarcity or insufficiency across various contexts, primarily in news and media, scientific, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the lack or inadequacy you wish to emphasize, and be mindful of overstating the significance if the amount, though small, is still sufficient. Alternatives like ""small quantity of"" or "insufficient quantity of" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small quantity of

Replaces "meager amount" with a more general term for quantity, suitable for most contexts.

limited quantity of

Emphasizes the restriction or constraint on the amount available.

scant amount of

Similar to meager, but with a stronger connotation of insufficiency or lack.

paltry sum of

Specifically refers to a small amount of money.

insufficient quantity of

Highlights the inadequacy of the amount for a specific purpose.

minimal quantity of

Stresses that the amount is the smallest possible.

tiny quantity of

Indicates the extremely small size of the amount.

negligible amount of

Suggests that the amount is so small it can be disregarded.

reduced quantity of

Indicates a previous higher amount has been lessened.

a trickle of

Implies a very slow and small supply of something, often liquid or metaphorical.

FAQs

What does "meager amount of" mean?

The phrase "meager amount of" refers to a quantity that is small, insufficient, or inadequate for a particular purpose. It emphasizes the lack or scarcity of something.

How can I use "meager amount of" in a sentence?

You can use "meager amount of" to describe things like resources, money, food, or effort. For example: "The project failed due to the "insufficient funds"". or "They survived on a "small quantity of" food after the storm."

What are some alternatives to "meager amount of"?

Alternatives include ""small quantity of"", "limited quantity of", "scant amount of", or "insufficient quantity of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "meager amount of" or "small amount of"?

"Meager amount of" is more appropriate when you want to emphasize the inadequacy or insufficiency of the amount. "Small amount of" is a more neutral term simply indicating the quantity is not large. Using "meager" adds a sense of deficiency.