negligible quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "negligible quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe an amount that is so small that it can be ignored or considered insignificant. Example: "The amount of error in the measurement was a negligible quantity, not affecting the overall results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

A negligible quantity of protein is found in fruits, and they usually contain less than 1 percent fat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The high rolling shear properties render the shear lag implications of the softwood CLTs to a negligible quantity.

Construction and Building Materials

We finally prove that the error in the normalization of the scintillation that has been recently demonstrated in the principle of the GS technique affects these measurements by an absolutely negligible quantity (0.04 arcsec).

Harvard University

All of the polyesters showed similar thermal stabilities, exhibited weight loss in a single step and decomposed completely with negligible quantity of residue.

Polymer

The FeCeW catalyst provides almost 100% of the NOx conversion at a space velocity of 40,000 h−1 in the range of 350 500 °C with a negligible quantity of N2O.

Catalysis Today

Nonetheless, the nanocomposite hydrogel was non-cytotoxic against human cell-line (human osteosarcoma) and shows good cell attachment of live cells in a 5-day 'live-dead' assay with almost negligible quantity of cell death.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Negligible quantities of Malagasy rosewood still appear in the official statistics but there is no record of any seizures of illegal imports in the port of Hong Kong.

The Guardian

Production from the Bakken region alone has gone from negligible quantities to 500,000 barrels of oil a day in just a few years.

The New York Times

Fresh-cut cortical tissue rapidly depleted headspace 1-MCP (>95%) over a 1-h exposure yet accumulated negligible quantities of internal gaseous 1-MCP.

Postharvest Biology and Technology

In normoxia, select yCD-HIF-1alpha fusions were degraded via HIF-1alpha's degradation pathway and were therefore present in negligible quantities.

Johns Hopkins University

Natural carbon-based nanoparticles exist only in negligible quantities, and the overwhelming majority are engineered, or artificially synthesized.

Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negligible quantity", ensure the context clearly indicates what the quantity is negligible in relation to. This provides clarity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "negligible quantity" when the amount, although small, still has a significant impact. "Negligible" implies the amount can be disregarded without affecting the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negligible quantity" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun (often a measurement, substance, or abstract concept) to indicate that its amount is so small as to be insignificant. This is supported by the Ludwig examples which show usage in scientific and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

Academia

20%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "negligible quantity" is a phrase used to describe an amount so small that it can be considered insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in contexts where you want to downplay the importance or impact of an amount. It is most commonly found in scientific and academic writing, although it can appear in news and media as well. Consider using alternatives such as "insignificant amount" or "minimal quantity" depending on the desired nuance. When using "negligible quantity", ensure it accurately reflects the context, as using it inappropriately can mislead readers about the actual significance of the amount in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insignificant amount

Replaces "quantity" with "amount", keeping the core meaning unchanged.

minimal amount

Substitutes "negligible" with "minimal", suggesting a very small but potentially non-zero amount.

very small quantity

Replaces "negligible" with "very small", providing a more descriptive alternative.

minor quantity

Uses "minor" instead of "negligible", indicating a small and unimportant quantity.

inconsequential amount

Replaces both words to convey that the amount is unimportant or irrelevant.

trifling amount

Emphasizes the smallness and unimportance of the amount.

paltry quantity

Uses "paltry" to suggest that the quantity is not only small but also inadequate or worthless.

scant quantity

Indicates that the quantity is barely sufficient.

token quantity

Implies the quantity is merely symbolic or representative, rather than substantial.

negligible proportion

Focuses on the ratio being insignificant rather than the absolute amount.

FAQs

What does "negligible quantity" mean?

A "negligible quantity" refers to an amount so small or insignificant that it can be disregarded or ignored without causing a noticeable difference or impact.

How can I use "negligible quantity" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that is present but so minimal that it does not affect the outcome. For example, "The error in measurement was a "negligible quantity", and did not impact the final result."

What are some alternatives to "negligible quantity"?

Alternatives include "insignificant amount", "minimal quantity", or "very small quantity". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "negligible quantity" to describe small amounts?

Not always. Ensure that the amount is truly insignificant in the context. If the small amount still has a measurable effect, consider using terms like "small quantity" or "minor amount" instead.