not much ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not much ice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that there is a small amount of ice present, often in relation to drinks or weather conditions. Example: "I ordered a cold drink, but there was not much ice in it, making it less refreshing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Not much ice".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On a recent afternoon, these diners sternly exerted what power they had, demanding of the wait staff: glasses of water with ice, but not too much ice; bread that was warm not cold; half a salad; a handful more potatoes; more lemon.

The New York Times

In Japan's case the first argument does not cut much ice.

The Economist

But those words, though wise, might not cut much ice in the Oval Office.

The New Yorker

But he recognises that will not cut much ice with the Leeds supporters who know him as the Ginger Whinger.

The Guardian - Sport

Its big disadvantages are that it is appears to be relying heavily on the business case for staying in, which may not cut much ice with some voters.

Independent

That may not cut much ice with the EU's regulators, who have a record of tussling with large technology firms.

The Economist

"The Jamaat has a lot of explaining to do", said Pakistan's prime minister, Zafarullah Jamali, this week, "for providing sanctuaries to terrorists".Jamaat-e-Islami's weak denials are not cutting much ice.

The Economist

But no more than that, it says: it is worried about inflation, the international competitiveness of the economy and depreciation of the krone.Whether it is right or wrong, this macroeconomic argument does not cut much ice with ordinary Norwegians.

The Economist

The assumption that the Wallabies will be the ones feeling the pressure on Saturday – that the All Blacks, with their vast experience and their intimidating aura, will control the emotional contours of the match – did not cut much ice with the Australian, whose own impressively sanguine approach over the last few testing weeks has been very much at odds with his reputation for combustibility.

Independent

On the trail Punting for president The races that count Tom and John slug it out Jesse's rod Ask the people what they want Another rebellion If Bush loses... Leonard Silk Prize Apology Reprints Related items Citizens' initiatives in California: Ask the people what they wantOct 28th 2004As in California, this does not cut much ice with white voters worried about their jobs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not much ice" in a sentence, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to literal ice (e.g., in a drink) or a metaphorical lack of impact or significance.

Common error

Avoid using "not much ice" in highly formal contexts where a more precise or sophisticated phrase would be more appropriate. For instance, in a scientific paper, quantify the amount explicitly rather than using this somewhat informal expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not much ice" primarily functions as a quantifier, indicating a small amount or degree of something, specifically ice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in English, both literally (referring to actual ice) and figuratively (referring to the impact or effectiveness of something).

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not much ice" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate a small quantity of ice. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds usage in varied contexts such as describing a beverage or assessing the impact of an argument. While its formality is generally neutral, it's advisable to use more precise language in highly formal or academic settings. Related phrases include "little ice" and "a small amount of ice". Remember to tailor the phrase to the specific context and desired level of formality for the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of ice

Replaces "much" with "small amount of", emphasizing the quantity.

little ice

Uses "little" as a quantifier to indicate a small quantity.

very little ice

Adds "very" to further emphasize the small quantity of ice.

hardly any ice

Emphasizes the near absence of ice.

minimal ice

Replaces "much" with "minimal", indicating the least possible amount.

not a lot of ice

Uses "a lot" instead of "much" with similar meaning.

scant ice

Uses "scant" to describe a barely sufficient amount of ice.

a trickle of ice

Emphasizes the limited flow or presence of ice.

a dusting of ice

Suggests a very light and thin layer of ice.

a modicum of ice

Uses "modicum" to imply a small, perhaps barely acceptable, amount of ice.

FAQs

How can I use "not much ice" in a sentence?

You can use "not much ice" to describe the quantity of ice in a drink, like "I asked for a drink with ice, but there was "not much ice" in it." It can also be used figuratively, as in "His excuses didn't cut "much ice" with the boss".

What's the difference between "not much ice" and "very little ice"?

"Not much ice" and "very little ice" are largely interchangeable. "Very little ice" might emphasize the scarcity a bit more, but in most contexts, they convey the same meaning.

What can I say instead of "not much ice" when referring to a drink?

You can say "little ice", "a small amount of ice", or "minimal ice". These alternatives are suitable when specifying your preference to a bartender or describing a drink's contents.

Is it correct to say "not much ice" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "not much ice" is generally more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise or descriptive alternatives like "a small quantity of ice" or "limited ice".