small quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

"small quantity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an amount that is not large. For example, "I only bought a small quantity of milk at the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A small quantity in each place.

Cornell University

Could such a small quantity of quinine cause all this?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Highly fragmented, small quantity of remains," Mee said.

The Washington Post

"Usually in a 'stop sale' it's a very small quantity".

The New York Times

One knife was found as well as a small quantity of marijuana.

The New York Times

The recipe makes more than you need here as it's hard to make a small quantity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A small quantity of uncooked potato was enough to produce antibodies in mice.

The Guardian

It even smells like one, as glasses are lightly rubbed with a small quantity of ethanol.

The Guardian

Selling a large quantity of diluted cocaine powder, or a small quantity of pure cocaine?

The Guardian - Opinion

In the original design, this is a small quantity of plutonium.

The Guardian

The men demanded drugs and stole a small quantity of cash.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small quantity", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured, for example, "a small quantity of water" or "a small quantity of data".

Common error

Avoid using "small quantity" when the actual amount, though small in comparison to something else, is still significant in absolute terms. For instance, don't say "a small quantity of radiation" if the amount is still harmful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small quantity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It modifies a noun, indicating that the amount or number of something is limited. Ludwig confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small quantity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating a limited amount of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across diverse contexts, most commonly in News & Media and Academia. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the measured item, and remain mindful of the scale to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives such as "limited amount" or "modest amount" can be used depending on the desired formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited amount

Emphasizes restriction or scarcity in the amount.

modest amount

Suggests a moderate and humble amount, slightly more formal.

tiny amount

Highlights the extremely small size of the amount.

minute amount

Similar to 'tiny amount', but with an emphasis on being almost negligible.

trace amount

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

negligible amount

Indicates the amount is so small it can be disregarded.

reduced quantity

Focuses on the act of making the quantity smaller.

minimum quantity

Specifies the least possible amount.

a sprinkling of

Used for items that can be scattered, like a topping.

dash of

Usually refers to liquids or powders added as a subtle flavor enhancement.

FAQs

How do I use "small quantity" in a sentence?

You can use "small quantity" to describe a limited amount of something. For example, "The recipe calls for a "small quantity" of salt" or "Only a "small quantity" of the drug was found".

What's a more formal way to say "small quantity"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "limited amount" or "modest amount" instead of "small quantity".

Which is correct, "small quantity" or "small amount"?

Both "small quantity" and "small amount" are correct, but "quantity" is generally used for things that can be counted or measured, while "amount" is used for things that cannot be easily counted. In many cases, they are interchangeable.

Can I use "small quantity" to describe abstract things?

Yes, "small quantity" can be used to describe abstract things as well, such as "a "small quantity" of effort" or "a "small quantity" of patience".