subtle amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subtle amount" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe a small or understated quantity of something. Example: "The artist used a subtle amount of color to create depth in the painting."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Impact wear is a subtle amount of vibration that occurs on the surfaces of two objects.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Review of the 2D image in the abdominal window shows a central hypodensity of -100 to 0 HU, consistent with a subtle amount of fat.

Insights into Imaging

She would often sport wide collars with a high neckline, showing just enough collarbone but still showing a subtle amount of skin.

Huffington Post

The whole time we were talking, I was staring at the subtle amount of dark chest hair peaking through his worn navy blue v-neck, and I felt a shrilling urge to have my hands against his chest.

Huffington Post

However, we recently showed that HP1β not only occupies chromatin outside the nucleolus, but subtle amount of HP1β can be also detected in ribosomal genes by chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR [ 18].

Epigenetics and Chromatin

However, since filter F2 uses a fold change threshold of 1.1--much smaller than the 1.5 threshold used in filter F1, we believe that only a subset of the 76 candidate proteins that changed at the subtle amount may have true biological significance.

BMC Systems Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Similarly, most of the commercially available cellulase enzymes are formulated cocktails and there is a continuous thrust towards the development of efficient cellulase enzyme mixtures prepared by physical mixing of subtle amounts of other cellulose-degrading enzyme components for synergistic action and high product yields at low enzyme loadings.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Similarly, if tadD is deleted, the ΔtadD strain produces only subtle amounts of RcpA and RcpB.

Plosone

When the stress response system is defective, exposure to even subtle amounts of misfolded proteins or other stressors over a life time could lead to the gradually progressive axonal degeneration that is typical for patients with HSPB1 mutations.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Clinical

Applying subtle amounts of "Unsharp mask" can be a very good thing.

WikiHow

That subtle change amounts to a 25percenttaxax cut for corporations during the three-year period, and businesses hope that the change will be extended or even made permanent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "subtle amount" when you want to emphasize that the quantity is not only small but also understated and perhaps difficult to detect. For example, "The sauce had a subtle amount of spice."

Common error

Avoid using "subtle amount" too frequently in formal or scientific writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less precise than more specific quantifiers like "small quantity" or "trace amount". Choose the phrasing that best fits the context and desired level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subtle amount" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a small quantity that is not immediately obvious or pronounced. It emphasizes the understated nature of the quantity. Ludwig shows its use across various contexts, though not with high frequency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "subtle amount" describes a quantity that is small and understated, as confirmed by the examples found by Ludwig. While grammatically acceptable, it is not extremely common and has a neutral register, suitable for various contexts. It’s useful when emphasizing the delicate or understated nature of a quantity, although more precise language may be preferable in highly formal or technical writing. Related phrases include "slight quantity" and "trace amount". Ludwig AI indicates that while the phrase is acceptable, choosing the right phrasing is important based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight quantity

Replaces "amount" with "quantity", emphasizing the small measure.

small measure

Uses "measure" instead of "amount" to highlight the limited quantity.

trace quantity

Implies an extremely small and barely detectable amount.

minute quantity

Emphasizes the extremely small size of the quantity.

hint of

Replaces the quantitative term entirely, suggesting a barely perceptible presence.

dash of

Suggests a very small quantity, often used in cooking or figurative senses.

tinge of

Emphasizes a slight coloration or influence.

whisper of

Implies an almost undetectable presence or quality.

modicum of

Suggests a small but adequate amount of something, often a desirable quality.

smattering of

Indicates a small, scattered amount of something.

FAQs

How can I use "subtle amount" in a sentence?

You can use "subtle amount" to describe a small quantity of something that is not immediately obvious or noticeable. For instance, "The dish had a "subtle amount" of garlic, which enhanced the flavor without being overpowering."

What are some alternatives to saying "subtle amount"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "slight quantity", "trace amount", or "hint of".

Is "subtle amount" formal or informal?

"Subtle amount" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more precise language may be preferred in highly technical or scientific writing.

What does "subtle amount" imply about the thing being measured?

"Subtle amount" implies that the quantity is small and may not be immediately noticeable. It suggests a degree of understatement or delicacy in the presence of the thing being measured.