the smallest amount of money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the smallest amount of money' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to refer to an amount of money that is the least amount possible. For example: "The charity is hoping to raise the smallest amount of money possible to buy food for the homeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"They have workers making the smallest amount of money possible and they shovel all those profits back into their pockets," she said.

The Guardian

With a record number of professionals vying for the smallest amount of money in years, the budgetary shortfall is the worst in the program's 11-year history.

The New York Times

"Now we know," she said, attacking Congress's 11th-hour move to void the Nov. 3 marijuana initiative by passing an appropriations amendment that bars the city from spending even the smallest amount of money to tally and promulgate the result.

The New York Times

But Carlton Carl, a spokesman for the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, said the deal "means nothing other than that the companies and their insurers, who were responsible for millions of Americans being poisoned by asbestos, sat around in a room trying to come up with the smallest amount of money they could pay to get out of their liabilities".

The New York Times

Even the smallest amount of money, demanded of or taken from a customer under circumstances the customer considers "unfair," will have a disproportionate impact (negative, of course) on your business – while a large amount of money, required of the customer under circumstances that seem fair and square, will seem an understandable part of doing business with you.

Forbes

In one we met a 90-year-old Vietnam veteran who venerated his ancestors, felt no bitterness about the war, and only asked for the smallest amount of money possible in the hopes of acquiring health insurance for his granddaughter.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Neither is the small amount of money on offer.

The Guardian - Sport

But she said the small amount of money involved would not have made a difference.

The New York Times

I am not sure if it is worth the amount of time and labour it requires for the small amount of money I receive.

The Guardian

They have not heard from him since, and have long ago used the small amount of money they had to rent a tent space and buy food.

The Guardian

The small amount of money from the fund, along with the continuing support of Catholic Charities, gave them what many homeless people do not have: breathing room to sort out options and try to get back on their feet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing budgets or financial constraints, use "the smallest amount of money" to clearly convey the intention of minimizing expenses. For example: "We aim to complete the project with "the smallest amount of money" possible."

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary intensifiers like 'absolutely' or 'utterly' before "the smallest amount of money". It's generally understood that 'smallest' already implies the minimum, so adding further emphasis can sound redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the smallest amount of money" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and acceptable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the smallest amount of money" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a minimal monetary value. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. While not exceptionally common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news media, science, and formal business settings. Alternative phrases, such as "the least amount of money", offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, aim to avoid unnecessary intensifiers and ensure clarity in conveying budgetary limitations or cost-saving intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the least amount of money

Focuses on the minimum quantity of money involved.

a minimal sum of money

Emphasizes the insignificance of the sum.

the bare minimum amount of money

Highlights that only the most essential monetary amount is involved.

the lowest possible cost

Shifts the focus to the expense or cost associated with something.

the tiniest amount of money

Uses a more informal descriptor for the small quantity.

the merest amount of money

Stresses the extremely small and almost negligible quantity.

a paltry sum

Implies that the amount is not only small but also insignificant or worthless.

a shoestring budget

Focuses on the limited budget available for a project or activity.

the leanest budget

Highlights the budget is extremely restricted.

minimum expenditure

Refers to the least amount spent

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the smallest amount of money"?

You can use alternatives such as "the least amount of money", "a minimal sum of money", or "the lowest possible cost" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "the smallest amount of money" or "the least amount of money"?

Both "the smallest amount of money" and "the least amount of money" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to complete a project for "the smallest amount of money"?

Completing a project for "the smallest amount of money" means achieving the project's goals while minimizing expenses and avoiding unnecessary costs. This often requires careful planning and efficient resource management.

In what situations should I use the phrase "the smallest amount of money"?

Use "the smallest amount of money" when you want to emphasize the intention to minimize expenditure, highlight budgetary constraints, or discuss cost-saving measures. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts.