tiny quantities of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tiny quantities of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to small amounts of a substance or item in various contexts, such as scientific, culinary, or general descriptions. Example: "The recipe calls for tiny quantities of salt to enhance the flavor without overpowering the dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Tiny quantities of the drug produce lassitude and a temporary euphoria, and sometimes hallucinations.

The New York Times

It is not fully impermeable, letting tiny quantities of air leak into the chamber.

The Economist

A mini-factory on its grounds produces tiny quantities of tea, and can be visited by guests.

The Guardian - Travel

Making a miniature drink basically consists of mixing tiny quantities of two-part epoxy with the appropriate coloring.

The New Yorker

It does this by measuring tiny quantities of light emitted from crystalline material, especially the quartz often found in sand.

Independent

In testing explosives for nuclear warheads, technicians typically use tiny quantities of fissile material (highly enriched uranium HEU or plutonium), leaving behind radioactive traces.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

These minerals are needed in tiny quantities, on the order of a few thousandths of a gram or less each day.

Unicef

Think what a tiny quantity of sound energy is released by a needle striking a floor!

The New York Times

Almost nothing was growing in Abdulgan, and only a tiny quantity of goods made it through the Taliban blockades.

The New York Times - Magazine

Phelps beat him by only four hundredths of a second a tiny quantity of time, less than half the duration of a single blink of the eye.

The New Yorker

The tiny quantity of Gadolinium does not affect the production of Cherenkov radiation, so just looking at this we would be in the same situation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tiny quantities of" when you want to emphasize the extremely small size or amount of something, often in scientific, technical, or culinary contexts. For example, "The experiment required only tiny quantities of the reagent."

Common error

Avoid using "tiny quantities of" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "a little" or "a small amount" would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tiny quantities of" primarily functions as a pre-modifier to a noun, specifying the amount or extent. It is used to describe a very small amount of something, often implying that the amount is so small that it may be almost negligible. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

29%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tiny quantities of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote extremely small amounts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in formal contexts like news reports and scientific papers, where precision is important. While versatile, it may sound too formal in casual conversation. Alternatives such as ""small amounts of"" or ""trace amounts of"" might be more appropriate depending on the context. Be mindful of your audience and the level of formality required when choosing whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small amounts of

Focuses on the diminutive size of the amounts, using more common terminology.

minute amounts of

Emphasizes the extremely small, almost negligible size of the amounts.

infinitesimal amounts of

Highlights the extremely small, practically immeasurable size of the amounts.

negligible quantities of

Highlights the insignificance of the amounts in terms of impact or effect.

trace amounts of

Suggests the presence of something in very small and often undetectable quantities.

a modicum of

Implies a limited but perhaps sufficient quantity of something, often abstract.

a smattering of

Suggests a sparse or scattered presence of something.

scant amounts of

Emphasizes the inadequacy or deficiency of the quantity.

a trickle of

Conveys a slow and limited flow or supply of something.

bits and pieces of

Indicates small, fragmented portions rather than a continuous quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "tiny quantities of" in a sentence?

Use "tiny quantities of" to describe an extremely small amount of something, often in scientific or technical contexts. For example: "The research requires "minute amounts of" a rare isotope."

What are some alternatives to "tiny quantities of"?

Alternatives include "small amounts of", "trace amounts of", or "negligible quantities of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "tiny quantities of"?

While grammatically correct, using "tiny quantities of" might sound overly formal in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "a little" or "a small amount of" are often more suitable in informal settings.

What's the difference between "tiny quantities of" and "small amounts of"?

"Tiny quantities of" emphasizes an extremely small amount, potentially bordering on insignificant. "Small amounts of" is a more general term and doesn't necessarily imply the amount is as minuscule as "tiny quantities of".