small volume vs little volume

Both 'small volume' and 'little volume' are correct, but they may be used in slightly different ways. 'Small volume' is more commonly used when referring to physical sizes or measurements, while 'little volume' is often used in a more abstract or figurative sense. The choice between the two depends on the specific context in which you want to describe the volume.

Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 14, 2024 • 13984 views

small volume

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially when referring to physical quantities or measurements.

Use 'small volume' when describing a physical quantity or measurement that is relatively low or limited in size.

Examples:

The small volume of water in the glass was not enough to quench his thirst.
The small volume of gas in the container caused it to collapse.
The small volume of sales this month was a cause for concern.

Show examples from the web [+]

A small volume is lost during preparation of PegIntron for injection when the dose is measured and injected.
This small volume of liquid is absorbed through the skin and has an effect throughout the animal's body.
A small volume is lost during preparation of PegIntron for injection and when the dose is measured and injected.
You see, if I were to examine a small volume of empty space inside this box, then I could in principle know how much energy it contains very precisely.
So, this is great, because remember my job is to show there is a lot of mass inside a small volume.
The investigation showed that this producer had generally high prices, mainly due the fact that he produced a small volume of sophisticated compressors for medical purposes which were not directly comparable to the product concerned.
Often an adjustment with a small volume of alkali is necessary to obtain a positive blank.
Suspend in a small volume of sterile distilled water or 50mM phosphate buffer (Appendix 4) and leave for 5 to 10 minutes.
Lamictal dispersible/ chewable tablets may be chewed, dispersed in a small volume of water (at least enough to cover the whole tablet) or swallowed whole with a little water.
After the suspension has been swallowed, any residue must be resuspended in a small volume of water or juice and swallowed.
Intravenous administration should be through an existing intravenous line either directly or using a small volume (25 or 50ml) 0.9% saline minibag.
So, how do astronomers prove that there is a lot of mass inside a small volume?
So, we're cramming four million times the mass of the sun into that small volume.
Fifthly, retailers should not only take this waste back when a new item is purchased; they should also collect very small volume waste.
I am pleased with the ALDE amendment which exempts micro-enterprises - that is businesses employing less than 10 people and with a turnover of less than two million - from the requirement to take back all small volume waste.
"Cryoprecipitate" means a plasma component prepared from plasma, fresh-frozen, by freeze-thaw precipitation of proteins and subsequent concentration and re-suspension of the precipitated proteins in a small volume of the plasma.
Intravenous administration (first dose in patients with STEMI only) Intravenous administration should be through an existing intravenous line either directly or using a small volume (25 or 50ml) 0.9% saline minibag.
Inoculate flasks No 2, 3 and 4 (test suspensions), No 5 (activity control) and No 6 (inoculum blank) with a small volume of the inoculum to give a concentration of 30 mg/1 suspended solids.
Subject: Small volume of freight for carriage on the Betuwe railway line in the Netherlands (a TEN project) and the extremely low rate to be paid by freight carriers, as the Hermans Commission was ignored
Special target for small volume specialised manufacturers

Alternatives:

limited volume
modest volume
restricted volume
small amount
small quantity

little volume

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English. It is often used in a more abstract or figurative sense.

Use 'little volume' when describing a volume in a more abstract or figurative context, such as emotions, sounds, or impact.