smaller amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in situations when something is being compared to something else in terms of size or quantity. For example, "He only has a smaller amount of money compared to his brother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An even smaller amount of allspice, maybe an eighth of a teaspoon, would also work.

The New York Times - Food

You can, of course, substitute the soda water with a smaller amount of tequila.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The machine will also perform a smaller amount of climate research.

The New York Times

"It's all getting compressed into a smaller and smaller amount of time".

The New York Times

Littered through the NSA material is a smaller amount of material about Australia's role in surveillance.

The Guardian - Film

A smaller amount of material exists for the student strikes of 1969, 1970 , 1971 and 1972.

Columbia University

The new device reads a much smaller amount of DNA than larger, more expensive machines.

MIT Technology Review

Later it proposed sending a smaller amount of low-enriched uranium in batches to third countries.

The Washington Post

But that may be of no consequence to those who store a smaller amount of data.

The New York Times - Tech

Hedge funds have parked a smaller amount of assets at Morgan Stanley.

The New York Times

That first round of ads had an even smaller amount of money behind it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, use "smaller amount of" to clearly indicate a lesser quantity relative to something else. For example, "Use a "smaller amount of" sugar to reduce the sweetness."

Common error

Avoid using "amount" for countable items. "Amount" is for uncountable nouns (e.g., water, sugar), while "number" is for countable nouns (e.g., books, people). Instead of saying "smaller amount of books", say "smaller number of books".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically modifying a noun to indicate a reduced quantity. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smaller amount of" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a reduced quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When comparing quantities, remember to use "smaller amount of" with uncountable nouns, and consider using "smaller number of" when referring to countable items. By following these guidelines, you can ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced quantity of

Emphasizes the reduction in the overall quantity, implying a decrease from a previous state.

lesser quantity of

Highlights that the quantity is not as much as something else.

diminished volume of

Focuses on the reduction in volume, often used for liquids or three-dimensional objects.

lower proportion of

Indicates a smaller percentage or fraction compared to the whole or another part.

smaller quantity than

Directly compares the quantity to another specific amount, emphasizing the difference.

reduced level of

Suitable when referring to abstract quantities or measurements, such as levels of chemicals or hormones.

a fraction of

Implies that what we are talking about is just a portion, often a small one, of something else.

modicum of

Suggests a very small or limited amount, often implying scarcity or insufficiency.

a sprinkling of

This alternative is used when you want to convey the idea that you are talking about something scattered here and there.

trace of

Indicates an extremely small and often barely detectable amount of something.

FAQs

How do I use "smaller amount of" in a sentence?

The phrase "smaller amount of" is used to indicate a reduced quantity compared to something else. For example: "She used a "smaller amount of" salt in the recipe to reduce the sodium content".

What are some alternatives to "smaller amount of"?

You can use alternatives such as "reduced quantity of", "lesser quantity of", or "lower proportion of" depending on the context.

When should I use "smaller amount of" versus "less of"?

"Smaller amount of" is typically used with uncountable nouns, while "less of" can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns but is often preferred for uncountable nouns. You can say "smaller amount of water" or "less water", but "fewer books" is preferred over "smaller amount of books".

Is it ever incorrect to use "smaller amount of"?

It's generally correct, but consider using "smaller number of" when referring to countable items. Saying "smaller amount of books" is grammatically questionable; "smaller number of books" is more appropriate.