minor amounts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor amounts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to small quantities of something, often in contexts like finance, science, or general descriptions of quantity. Example: "The study found that the substance was present in minor amounts, which did not significantly affect the overall results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In contrast, the Delaware Basin received relatively minor amounts of sediment from the low coastal plains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Minor amounts of sylvite, potassium chloride (KCl), also are present in such beds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The residue is chiefly carbon, with minor amounts of hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nitrogen also may have been present, along with minor amounts of other gases.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To some degree, the enzyme is also activated by apoC-II, present in minor amounts in chylomicrons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Alstonite, also called Bromlite, a barium and calcium carbonate mineral, CaBa(CO3 2, with minor amounts of strontium.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Basaltic and alkalic igneous magmas therefore can crystallize only minor amounts of silica minerals, and sometimes none are produced.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Minor amounts of Np partition differently from Pu in sediments.

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

However, presence of minor amounts of brookite was also reported.

Nanoscale Research Letters

In the two microbial microcosms, minor amounts of crystals were visible on the water surface.

Geochemical Transactions

These particles were characterized by C and O, with minor amounts of other elements.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minor amounts", ensure the context clearly indicates what the "minor amounts" are relative to. For example, "minor amounts of impurities" is more informative than just "minor amounts".

Common error

Avoid using "minor amounts" without specifying the substance or entity you're referring to. Saying "there were minor amounts" leaves the reader wondering "of what?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor amounts" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a small quantity or degree. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples include "minor amounts of sediment" or "minor amounts of gases".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

Encyclopedias

12%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor amounts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate small quantities. As Ludwig confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific and encyclopedic writing. To maximize clarity, ensure you explicitly state what the "minor amounts" refer to. Alternatives like "small quantities", "trace amounts", or "negligible quantities" may be appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Although the frequency is very common, keep the context in consideration, because you may want to replace it by "smaller amounts", "limited amounts" or other semantically similar phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small quantities

Focuses on the quantity being small, emphasizing the limited size.

tiny quantities

Uses a more descriptive adjective to indicate a very small amount.

minimal quantities

Emphasizes that the amount is the least possible.

negligible quantities

Highlights that the amount is so small it's practically insignificant.

trace amounts

Indicates the amount is so minimal it's barely detectable.

insignificant quantities

Highlights the lack of importance due to the small amount.

limited quantities

Emphasizes the restriction on the amount available.

small proportions

Focuses on the amount relative to a larger whole.

scant amounts

Implies that the amounts are insufficient or barely adequate.

reduced amounts

Indicates that the amount has been decreased or lessened.

FAQs

How can I use "minor amounts" in a sentence?

You can use "minor amounts" to describe small quantities of something. For example: "The soil contained "minor amounts" of lead." or "Only "minor amounts" of the chemical were detected in the water supply."

What's a good alternative to "minor amounts"?

Alternatives include "small quantities", "trace amounts", or "negligible quantities". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of smallness you want to emphasize.

Is it ever incorrect to use "minor amounts"?

While grammatically correct, using "minor amounts" can be vague if you don't specify what you're referring to. Always ensure the context makes it clear what the "minor amounts" are of.

What is the difference between "minor amounts" and "small amounts"?

While similar, "minor amounts" often implies an even smaller quantity than "small amounts", suggesting the quantity is almost insignificant. "Small amounts" is a more general term for a limited quantity.