a little digging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little digging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a metaphor to refer to doing research or investigating a topic or issue. For example: “I did a little digging, and it turns out, the article was not based on any scientific research.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It just takes a little digging.

The Washington Post

So Matt did a little digging.

The Guardian - Tech

We decided to do a little digging ourselves.

Harvard Business Review

Routh and Carter decided to do a little digging.

The Guardian - Sport

A little digging shows that those chapters happen to authorize the presidential election public financing system.

The New York Times

With a little digging, a total of 44 gigabytes were cleared.

The New York Times - Tech

A little digging into the concept of Guidoism brought me to an amateur documentary on YouTube.

The New Yorker

After a little digging, I discovered that Ms. Bachmann's children are all grown anyway.

The New York Times

After a second recitation, I started to do a little digging and thinking of my own.

The New Yorker

A little digging into the logic reveals some dangerous flaws in it.

Harvard Business Review

A little digging will usually turn up something that makes their bile seem beside the point.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little digging" when you want to convey that some, but not extensive, research or investigation was conducted to uncover information.

Common error

Avoid using "a little digging" when significant, in-depth research was performed; it can downplay the effort involved. Instead, use phrases like "extensive research" or "thorough investigation" to accurately reflect the work done.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little digging" functions as a noun phrase that describes the act of conducting a brief or simple investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is readily understood and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little digging" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe conducting a brief or simple investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely understood and used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While acceptable in formal settings, more precise language may sometimes be preferred. Remember to use it accurately, reflecting the actual depth of the research performed, and consider alternatives like "some research" or "brief investigation" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Some research

This alternative is shorter and more direct, focusing on the act of researching.

Brief investigation

This alternative uses a more formal term ("investigation") and specifies its brevity.

Initial inquiry

This alternative implies the beginning stages of a more extensive search.

Preliminary analysis

This alternative is more analytical and suggests a formal review process.

Basic fact-checking

This alternative emphasizes verifying information as opposed to broader exploration.

Simple search

This alternative highlights the ease and straightforwardness of the information retrieval process.

Quick exploration

This alternative emphasizes speed and a non-exhaustive approach.

Surface examination

This alternative implies the investigation didn't go too deep.

Cursory review

This alternative implies a brief and superficial assessment.

Initial probing

This alternative suggests preliminary exploration to uncover information.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little digging" to indicate that you did some light research or investigation to uncover information. For example, "After "a little digging", I found out that the company had filed for bankruptcy last year."

What are some alternatives to saying "a little digging"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "some research", "brief investigation", or "initial inquiry" instead of "a little digging".

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

While "a little digging" is widely understood, it may be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise and professional terms like "preliminary analysis" or "brief investigation".

What does "a little digging" imply about the amount of effort involved?

"A little digging" suggests that the research or investigation was relatively quick and straightforward, requiring a moderate amount of effort. It implies that the information was not deeply hidden or difficult to find.