a bit of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a bit of" is correct and usable in written English.
It functions as an adverb and indicates a limited or small amount of something. Example: I will take a bit of extra time to complete this task.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A bit of hope.

The New York Times - Sports

A bit of decorum.

The New Yorker

A bit of both.

The New York Times - Sports

A bit of context.

The New York Times

A bit of that".

The New Yorker

A bit of vanity.

The New Yorker

"A bit of comedy".

The New Yorker

A bit of intrigue.

The New York Times

Showed a bit of enterprise.

The New York Times

So a bit of clarification.

The New York Times

(Perhaps a bit of both).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit of" to soften statements or requests, making them sound less direct or demanding. For example, "Could you give me a bit of help with this?" is more polite than "Help me with this."

Common error

While "a bit of" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing where more precise quantifiers may be preferable. Instead of "There was a bit of confusion regarding the data", consider "There was some confusion regarding the data" or "There was slight confusion regarding the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit of" functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier, indicating a small or limited amount of something. It is typically used before uncountable nouns to specify quantity. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a small quantity or degree, functioning as a quantifier. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. While very common and generally acceptable, its usage should be tailored to the context, avoiding overuse in formal writing where precision is key. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, offering a neutral to slightly informal tone. When aiming for formality, consider alternatives like "a slight amount of" or "a degree of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little

Simpler phrasing omitting "of" for brevity.

a touch of

Emphasizes a slight or subtle amount.

a small amount of

More formal and explicit about the quantity.

a dash of

Implies adding something in a small quantity, often used for ingredients.

a hint of

Suggests a subtle indication or presence of something.

a smidgen of

Informal term emphasizing a very small amount.

a shade of

Suggests a slight degree or variation, often related to color or emotion.

some

A general quantifier indicating an unspecified amount.

a measure of

Indicates a certain quantity or degree of something.

an element of

Highlights the presence of a particular component or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit of" in a sentence?

The phrase "a bit of" can be used before uncountable nouns to indicate a small quantity or degree. For instance, "I need "a bit of advice"" or "There's "a bit of hope" left".

What are some alternatives to "a bit of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a little", "a touch of", or "a small amount of".

Is it appropriate to use "a bit of" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "a bit of" may sound informal in certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise language, such as "a slight amount of" or "a degree of", for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "a bit of" and "a little bit of"?

The phrases are very similar in meaning and often interchangeable. However, "a little bit of" can sometimes emphasize a slightly larger quantity compared to "a bit of".