scant amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small or insufficient quantity of something. Example: "The recipe calls for a scant amount of salt, just enough to enhance the flavor without overpowering the dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The dressing is a scant amount of olive oil and a generous squeeze of lemon juice.

The New York Times - Food

That scant amount of time elapsed between the Red Sox slapping the Yankees on Friday night before unraveling on Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

There were loads of layers – we counted about 15 – and a very scant amount of béchamel and meat ragu, but just the right amount.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is little to distract the reader - no blogroll, no comments and only a scant amount of text identifying each item's name, components and provenance.

The New York Times

I prefer to keep things separate; perhaps I'm bad at sharing the scant amount of family that I do have, or fearful of giving someone a glimpse of the few people who really know me.

The New Yorker

Just cut a small onion into fine half-moons and fry it in a scant amount of oil in a skillet until soft, with some salt sprinkled on to stop it from burning.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Some are sweeter than others, but all contain scant amounts of wormwood, the ingredient responsible for absinthe's supposed hallucinogenic effects.

The New York Times - Food

But the oldest Black Sea layers that were analyzed were similar to those at the South Atlantic site: The mud at the sea bottom had scant amounts of organic matter and had been exposed to oxygen, which, in theory, should have made it tough to scrape up any preserved DNA.

Science Magazine

"Puerto Rico cannot afford to continue jailing kids and destroying their future because they possess scant amounts of marijuana.

Huffington Post

The Argentine territories, held back by their closed economies, the lack of any activity closely linked to foreign trade, and the scant amounts of labour and capital they consequently received, fell far behind those of other areas of the colonial world that participated in foreign trade.

Wikipedia

Compared with RFLP, the advantage of SSR and SNP markers is that they can be revealed using high-throughput technologies with scant amounts of DNA.

DNA Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scant amount of", ensure the context clearly indicates that the small quantity is significant or problematic. For instance, "a scant amount of rainfall led to a severe drought."

Common error

Avoid using "scant amount of" when describing something positive or beneficial. The phrase implies a deficiency, so it's inappropriate to say, for example, "a scant amount of effort resulted in great success."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant amount of" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a quantity that is considered small or insufficient. Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase. For example, "a scant amount of time."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant amount of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a small or insufficient quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal and professional contexts. While the phrase appears in a variety of sources, it is most frequent in news and scientific articles. Remember to use it when you wish to express that an amount is not only small but also inadequate for the situation at hand. Alternatives include "minimal quantity of", "meager quantity of", and "limited quantity of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal quantity of

Replaces "scant amount" with "minimal quantity", emphasizing the smallness of the amount.

meager quantity of

Substitutes "scant amount" with "meager quantity", suggesting a poor or inadequate supply.

paltry sum of

Replaces "scant amount" with "paltry sum", implying the amount is insignificant or worthless.

limited quantity of

Replaces "scant amount" with "limited quantity", highlighting the restriction in supply.

small measure of

Substitutes "scant amount" with "small measure", focusing on the reduced quantity.

tiny fraction of

Replaces "scant amount" with "tiny fraction", suggesting the amount is only a small part of the whole.

inadequate supply of

Substitutes "scant amount" with "inadequate supply", emphasizing the lack of sufficient provision.

deficient quantity of

Replaces "scant amount" with "deficient quantity", highlighting the insufficiency of the quantity.

nominal portion of

Substitutes "scant amount" with "nominal portion", implying the amount is so small it's barely worth considering.

insufficient volume of

Replaces "scant amount" with "insufficient volume", highlighting the lack of adequate volume.

FAQs

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

Use "scant amount of" to describe a small or inadequate quantity of something. For example, "There was a "scant amount of" evidence to support the claim."

What can I say instead of "scant amount of"?

You can use alternatives like "minimal quantity of", "meager quantity of", or "limited quantity of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "scarce amount of" instead of "scant amount of"?

While "scarce" and "scant" are similar, "scarce amount of" typically refers to a general lack or rarity, whereas "scant amount of" emphasizes the small quantity in a specific instance. So the better choice depends on context.

What's the difference between "scant amount of" and "small amount of"?

"Small amount of" is a neutral description of quantity. "Scant amount of" implies the quantity is insufficient or inadequate for a particular purpose.