a little big

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a little big' is not correct and cannot be used in written English.
Instead, you should use phrases such as 'slightly larger' or 'somewhat bigger.' For example, "This sandwich is a slightly larger than I expected."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Style

Humor

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It looks a little big," Kotsay said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's kind of a little big town".

The New York Times

"That's why it's a little big in the shoulder".

The New York Times

And they are a little big, which is marvelous.

The New York Times

"It might be a little big for my taste.

The Guardian - Film

"They were really beautiful, but they started to get a little big for me," he explained.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I think he thought it was hit a little big harder than it was".

The New York Times - Sports

"Right now, what we need is a little Big Brother," she said.

The New York Times

"It's a little big naughty," says Brendan McNamara, the hotel marketing director.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We had some lapses during the season because we got a little big-headed.

The New York Times

Van Commenee may come across as a little hard-headed and a little big-headed but his style works.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a little big" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more grammatically correct alternatives such as "slightly larger" or "somewhat bigger".

Common error

Be cautious of combining contradictory terms like "a little big", as it can create confusion or sound nonsensical. Ensure your word choices align logically to convey the intended meaning accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little big", while frequently used, functions as an informal descriptor, often employed to express a minor degree of excess or unexpected largeness. Despite its prevalence, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Style

5%

Humor

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little big" is frequently used, as exemplified by the large amount of Ludwig AI examples, primarily in News & Media, and to a lesser extent Wiki and Scientific contexts. However, Ludwig AI correctly identifies it as grammatically incorrect due to its contradictory nature. While prevalent in informal settings for expressing slight excess or humor, it should be avoided in formal writing. More appropriate alternatives include "slightly larger" or "somewhat bigger". Therefore, while the phrase appears often, mindful and precise word choice should be prioritized in polished, professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly large

Emphasizes a small degree of largeness, correcting the grammatical structure.

somewhat large

Indicates a moderate degree of size, offering a grammatically sound alternative.

a bit oversized

Highlights the increased size compared to a standard or expected dimension.

just a tad too big

Indicates the size is only slightly excessive.

marginally larger

Suggests an increase that is barely noticeable.

a touch too large

Emphasizes that something exceeds a desired size by a negligible amount.

minutely big

Refers to a very small degree of bigness, highlighting the almost insignificant increase in size.

slightly gigantic

Creates a contradictory and humorous effect through the juxtaposition of opposing terms.

a little too generous

Shifts the focus to quantity, implying a size that exceeds what's desired or adequate.

relatively sizable

Conveys that the size is considerable in relation to something else.

FAQs

What's grammatically wrong with the phrase "a little big"?

The phrase "a little big" combines contradictory terms, as "little" implies smallness and "big" implies largeness. This makes the phrase grammatically incorrect and illogical.

What can I say instead of "a little big"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly larger", "somewhat bigger", or "a bit oversized depending on the context".

Is "a little big" ever acceptable to use?

While grammatically incorrect, "a little big" might be used informally or humorously to create a contradictory effect. However, it's best to avoid it in formal writing.

How does using "a little big" affect the clarity of my writing?

Using "a little big" can reduce clarity because it combines opposing ideas. Opting for more precise and grammatically correct phrases enhances understanding.