a little beyond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little beyond" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate something that is slightly further than a certain point or limit, either in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The restaurant is a little beyond the park, just a short walk from here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Filin, for his part, promoted Vorontsova and insisted that he was casting her in roles that were even a little beyond her capacities: good, substantive roles in "The Sleeping Beauty," "Don Quixote," and "Jewels".

The New Yorker

You want them to push a little beyond".

The New York Times - Arts

I think A-Rod will always be a little beyond us.

The New Yorker

"This piece is a little beyond me," Ms. Eckenswiller had to concede.

The New York Times

They lived in extreme good taste, just a little beyond their means.

The New Yorker

A little beyond Rudnyi, we crossed a mountain pass that hardly looked like one.

The New Yorker

So this race helps us maybe look a little beyond that".

The New York Times - Sports

But it's too easy to stop just a little beyond it.

The New Yorker

"A princess," I say -- "noblewoman" might be a little beyond her grasp.

The New York Times - Travel

The world heritage area only extended to a little beyond the high-tide mark.

The Guardian

I just thought it was a little beyond me this year".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little beyond" to indicate a slight advancement or exceeding of a limit, whether physical or conceptual. For instance, "The store is a little beyond the library."

Common error

While versatile, "a little beyond" can sound informal in certain contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "slightly exceeding" or "marginally over" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little beyond" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a position or state that is slightly further or more advanced than a reference point. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable in general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little beyond" serves as a versatile prepositional phrase indicating a slight extension or surpassing of a specific point or limit. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable. While frequently seen in News & Media sources, it is less common in purely formal settings, where alternatives like "slightly exceeding" may be preferred. When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure the level of formality aligns with your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly exceeding

Emphasizes the act of surpassing by a small margin.

just past

Indicates a position immediately after a specific point.

a shade over

Implies a slight degree of exceeding.

marginally over

Highlights a minimal degree of exceeding.

somewhat further than

Expresses a distance greater than a specified point.

a step beyond

Suggests progressing slightly further than the current point.

a touch more than

Implies a small quantity exceeding a certain level.

slightly ahead of

Indicates being a small distance in front of.

fractionally surpassing

Highlights a very small amount of exceeding.

a hair's breadth past

Emphasizes a very tiny amount beyond a specified limit.

FAQs

How can I use "a little beyond" in a sentence?

You can use "a little beyond" to describe something that is slightly further than a specific point or limit. For example, "The café is "just a little beyond" the post office" or "That concept is "a little beyond my understanding"".

What are some alternatives to "a little beyond"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "slightly exceeding", "just past", or "marginally over".

Is it always appropriate to use "a little beyond" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a little beyond" may sound informal in certain formal contexts. Using more precise language may be more suitable. For instance, consider using "slightly surpassing" instead.

What's the difference between "a little beyond" and "a lot beyond"?

"A little beyond" indicates a small degree of exceeding, while "a lot beyond" suggests a much greater extent. For example, "The finish line is "a little beyond the hill"" versus "The finish line is "a lot beyond the hill"".