a little determination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little determination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need for a small amount of willpower or resolve to achieve a goal or overcome a challenge. Example: "With a little determination, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I think it was a little determination to play better," Groh said of the defense.

The New York Times - Sports

With a little determination and expertise, accounting practices that burnish financial results or make earnings appear out of nowhere can often be spotted in these documents.

The New York Times

As with every other part of this journey, "climbing" means walking, albeit up some very steep slopes, and so you need only a decent pair of boots and a little determination to get to the top.

The New York Times - Travel

Even better, if you upgrade to a faster machine, you can (given a little determination) generally take the disk from your old machine and get it transplanted into the new one.

The Guardian - Tech

While a little determination is good, so is pursuing a project intelligently and objectively.

Forbes

It just takes a little determination.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Tonight, I thought we had a little more determination to get there," Laviolette said.

The New York Times - Sports

Citing Bob Marley and Malcolm X as influences, he told the BBC he'll "do everything to enact structural change" in the UK (19 Feb-13 Apr, tour starts Berkeley Suite, Glasgow) … Also on the up, but with a little less determination to reorganise society in its entirety, 2014 Mercury prize nominees GoGo Penguin have announced their biggest gig to date at Camden's KOKO (NW1, 12 Jun).

The Guardian - Music

The former – who insisted nine years ago that prison reform was part of the Tories' central mission to "tackle social breakdown" – has previously shown little determination to force through change in an area which wins few votes.

Independent

They might have had more staff, but one person I know says he trained under someone who used to just stand in a mental health ward with a bottle of liquid medicine and brazenly dish it out, with little determination for individual cases whatsoever.

Vice

They came into this match on the back of successive victories and showed little determination to make it three out of three.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little determination", ensure the context suggests that the task is achievable with only a moderate amount of effort. This highlights the attainability of the goal and encourages action.

Common error

Avoid using "a little determination" when the task actually requires significant effort or resources. This can mislead or discourage individuals facing substantial challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little determination" primarily functions as a modifier, indicating the extent or degree of determination needed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little determination" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies the need for a moderate amount of resolve to achieve a goal. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. It serves to encourage action by implying that the task is achievable with reasonable effort. When using the phrase, it's best to ensure that the context aligns with the implication of moderate effort, avoiding overstatements of ease. Alternatives like "a bit of resolve" or "some perseverance" can offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit of resolve

Substitutes "determination" with "resolve" and "little" with "bit", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

a hint of willpower

Uses "willpower" instead of "determination" to refer to the mental strength.

some perseverance

Replaces the entire phrase with a focus on continued effort despite difficulties.

a touch of grit

Uses a more figurative expression, replacing "determination" with "grit" to suggest resilience.

modest persistence

Focuses on a sustained effort that is not excessive or overbearing.

slight tenacity

Emphasizes a mild form of persistence and clinging to a goal.

minimal effort

Shifts the focus to the degree of exertion required, rather than inherent willpower.

a spark of ambition

Highlights the initial motivation needed to begin a task.

a dash of courage

Replaces "determination" with "courage" to signify the bravery needed to overcome obstacles.

basic commitment

Underlines the fundamental agreement and devotion required for success.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a little determination"?

You can use phrases such as "a bit of resolve", "some perseverance", or "a touch of grit" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "a little determination" or "much determination"?

The choice depends on the context. "A little determination" suggests that only a moderate amount of effort is needed, while "much determination" implies that a significant amount of resolve is required.

What does "a little determination" imply?

The phrase implies that success is attainable with a moderate degree of willpower and effort, suggesting the task is not overly difficult.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "a little determination"?

Use "a little determination" when encouraging someone to pursue a goal that is challenging but ultimately achievable with a reasonable amount of personal effort. For example, learning a new skill or overcoming a minor obstacle.