smaller quantity than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller quantity than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing amounts or sizes, indicating that one quantity is less than another. Example: "The recipe calls for a smaller quantity than what I usually use for this dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Adjust the cooking time if you are cooking a larger or smaller quantity than is listed in the steps.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We are still making the backpacks, but in smaller quantities than we would hope," he says.

The Guardian

Hybrids, meanwhile, still use gasoline, albeit in smaller quantities than a regular S.U.V. does.

The New York Times

Dried lavender should be added in somewhat smaller quantities than fresh, because it tends to be stronger.

The New York Times

But some dealers had expected it to buy in smaller quantities than before yesterday's general elections in Japan.

The New York Times

And, concomitantly, many leading composers of the 19th century wrote in considerably smaller quantities than their predecessors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because these goods tend to be shipped in smaller quantities than grains, Cubans may be more likely to pay for them in cash and not need financing.

The New York Times

The technology could also be used to carefully target biopsies, as cancerous cells could be identified in much smaller quantities than currently possible.

MIT Technology Review

Although both pottery and basketry are produced in much smaller quantities than they were after first European contact, the quality of contemporary work is consistently high.

Britannica

However, I prefer to use honey in smaller quantities than the sugar normally called for – it has a greater complexity of flavour and is less cloyingly sweet.

Independent

(On the short list of goods the United States is selling in smaller quantities than in 2000: tobacco, shoes and apparel, and automobile engines).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, ensure that the units of measurement are consistent to avoid misleading statements. For instance, compare grams to grams, not grams to kilograms.

Common error

Be careful to use "amount" for uncountable nouns (e.g., "a smaller amount of water") and "number" for countable nouns (e.g., "a smaller number of apples"). Don't say "a smaller amount of apples" when you should say "a smaller number of apples".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller quantity than" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (often implied) by indicating that its amount is less than that of another noun. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "smaller quantity than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While alternatives like "lesser amount than" or "smaller amount than" exist, "smaller quantity than" remains a clear and versatile choice for expressing comparisons of amount or number. When writing, pay attention to using "amount" versus "number" based on countability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lesser amount than

Uses "amount" instead of "quantity", implying a focus on non-countable items.

smaller amount than

Synonymous replacement of the word "quantity".

reduced amount compared to

Replaces "quantity" with "amount" and structures the comparison differently.

lower volume compared to

Uses "volume" to refer to a specific type of quantity, often liquids or gases.

fewer units than

Emphasizes discrete, countable items.

less of something than

A more general and informal way to express a smaller quantity.

a decline compared to

Focuses on the act of decreasing, rather than a static comparison.

a reduction in comparison with

More formal and emphasizes the process of reduction.

a lighter measure than

Suggests less weight, which relates to quantity in some contexts.

a more contained portion than

Focuses on portion size; suitable in contexts relating to food or servings.

FAQs

How do I use "smaller quantity than" in a sentence?

Use "smaller quantity than" to compare two amounts, indicating one is less. For example, "This recipe requires a "smaller quantity than" the original version."

What is a synonym for "smaller quantity than"?

Alternatives include "lesser amount than", "smaller amount than", or "reduced amount compared to", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say "less quantity than"?

While understandable, "less quantity than" is not as grammatically sound as ""smaller quantity than"". It's better to use "less amount of" or "smaller quantity of".

What's the difference between "smaller quantity than" and "smaller amount than"?

"Smaller quantity than" and "smaller amount than" are often interchangeable. However, "quantity" is typically used for things that can be measured, while "amount" is often used for non-countable items. Choose the word that best fits the context.