small amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

'small amount of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a quantity that is very limited. For example: "I only had a small amount of time to finish the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With perhaps a small amount of prodding.

The New York Times

It's a relatively small amount of supplies.

The Guardian

Just a small amount of "Lancastrian French".

The Guardian

A gravita - a small amount of seriousness?

The Guardian - Books

There was shock, tears, and no small amount of anger.

The New York Times

Neither is the small amount of money on offer.

The Guardian - Sport

It contains a small amount of aromatic musqué-clone chardonnay.

The New York Times

I'd also done a small amount of research.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The diet includes a small amount of wine with meals.

The Guardian

"We make a small amount of money," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

If pan is dry, add a small amount of oil.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small amount of", ensure the noun it modifies is appropriate. It works well with both countable and uncountable nouns.

Common error

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "limited quantity of" or "modicum of" to enhance precision and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a limited quantity or degree. This phrase is versatile, appearing across various contexts as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

29%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small amount of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a limited quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across diverse contexts, though formal settings might benefit from more precise alternatives. Its neutral register makes it suitable for general communication, while awareness of its frequency in various sources aids in effective writing. Be mindful of the noun it modifies and consider context-appropriate substitutes for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited quantity of

Emphasizes the restriction or upper bound on the quantity.

tiny quantity of

Highlights the diminutive size of the quantity.

a bit of

More informal and general, applicable to various contexts.

scant amount of

Highlights the insufficiency of the quantity.

modicum of

Suggests a very small or moderate amount, often implying just enough.

trace of

Implies an extremely small, almost undetectable amount.

a touch of

Similar to 'trace', implies a subtle presence.

iota of

Indicates a minute or insignificant quantity.

pinch of

Often used for tangible items, like ingredients.

dash of

Similar to 'pinch', often used for liquids or seasonings.

FAQs

How to use "small amount of" in a sentence?

You can use "small amount of" to describe a limited quantity of something, like "I added a "small amount of" sugar to my coffee" or "There was only a "small amount of" rain yesterday.

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

You can use alternatives like "limited quantity of", "modicum of", or "a bit of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "small amount of" or "small number of"?

"Small amount of" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, time), while "small number of" is used with countable nouns (e.g., books, people).

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

"Tiny amount of" emphasizes that the quantity is extremely small, even smaller than what ""small amount of"" suggests.