minute amount

USAGE SUMMARY

'minute amount' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a very small quantity or amount of something. For example: "The minute amount of water left in the glass was barely enough for him to take a sip."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

[Laughs.] A very minute amount.

The Washington Post

Huangdi's Huangdi neijing devotes only a minute amount of space to surgery.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And the concentration of H2O2 in the anolyte was also decreased by adding a minute amount of CH3OH.

Electrochimica Acta

Your watch will run fast and slow, but by such a minute amount as to be unnoticeable.

The Guardian

The accident was the worst in the plant's 26-year history, but only a minute amount of radioactive steam escaped.

The New York Times

"We only had a minute amount of DNA available to work with, just 40 billionths of a gram.

Independent

When the number of agents is large enough, a minute amount of deficit can replace unit surplus to achieve a budget balance.

Games and Economic Behavior

Their foreign crew pays no Australian tax and the owner pays a minute amount of company tax in the form of 'freight tax'.

The Guardian

A chemist, hoping to learn by the most direct means the dose acutely toxic to human beings, swallowed a minute amount, about.00424 of an ounce.

The New Yorker

But chardonnay aged in oak barrels will be exposed to the minute amount of air that penetrates the wood, which can add pleasing elements of complexity.

The New York Times

Chris Olert, a spokesman for Con Edison, said a minute amount of water -- nothing radioactive -- had leaked out of the pipe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the insignificance of a quantity, use "minute amount" to downplay its impact or relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "minute amount" when a more precise measurement is available and necessary for clarity. Overusing the phrase can make your writing vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minute amount" functions as a quantifier, specifically a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a very small quantity. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across diverse contexts, consistently denoting a minimal or negligible quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minute amount" is a phrase used to describe a very small quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse fields like science, news, and general knowledge. While generally neutral in register, the specific context dictates its appropriateness; using more precise measurements is preferable in technical contexts when available. When aiming to downplay or emphasize the smallness of a quantity, "minute amount" serves effectively. Alternatives such as "tiny quantity" or "negligible quantity" can be considered for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tiny quantity

Emphasizes the extremely small size of the quantity.

infinitesimal amount

Stresses that the amount is virtually zero.

trace amount

Implies the amount is so small it's barely detectable.

small quantity

A more general term for a quantity that is not large.

scant amount

Highlights the insufficiency or lack of the quantity.

negligible quantity

Indicates the amount is so small it's not worth considering.

fractional amount

Suggests the amount is a small part of a larger whole.

mere amount

Implies the quantity is insignificant or unimportant.

modicum

Refers to a small, limited, or moderate amount.

dash

Commonly used when referring to adding a tiny amount of a spice or liquid.

FAQs

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

You can use "minute amount" to describe a very small quantity of something. For example, "Only a minute amount of radioactive steam escaped" or "The recipe calls for a minute amount of yeast".

What's the difference between "trace amount" and "minute amount"?

"Trace amount" often implies the quantity is so small it's barely detectable, while "minute amount" simply indicates a very small quantity, without necessarily implying it's difficult to detect.

What are some alternatives to saying "minute amount"?

Alternatives include "tiny quantity", "small quantity", or "negligible quantity", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "minute amount" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly technical or scientific contexts, it may be preferable to use a more precise measurement instead of "minute amount" for increased accuracy and clarity.