"small amounts of" vs "small amount of"

Question

"small amounts of" vs "small amount of"

Both "small amount of" and "small amounts of" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Small amount of" is used when referring to a singular, non-countable noun, while "small amounts of" is used when referring to multiple, non-countable nouns.

Last Updated: March 29, 2024

Use "small amounts of" when you want to refer to multiple, non-countable nouns. For example, "She bought small amounts of different spices for the recipe."

Examples:

He needs small amounts of flour and sugar for baking.
They consumed small amounts of alcohol at the party.
The experiment requires small amounts of chemicals.

Alternatives:

small quantities of
small portions of
small volumes of
small doses of
small bits of

Use "small amount of" when you want to refer to a singular, non-countable noun. For example, "I only need a small amount of sugar for the recipe."

Examples:

A small amount of water is enough to quench my thirst.
She only needs a small amount of time to finish the task.
Please add a small amount of salt to the dish.

Alternatives:

a small quantity of
a small portion of
a small volume of
a small dose of
a small bit of

Answer 1

small amounts of

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to multiple, non-countable nouns.

Answer 2

small amount of

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a singular, non-countable noun.

"small amounts of" vs "small amount of"

small amounts of

small amount of

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