a little drop

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little drop" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of liquid, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "Just add a little drop of lemon juice to enhance the flavor of the dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

With each run, a little drop more faith drained away.

The Guardian - Sport

The aligned proposals have a larger overlap with ground truth at the expense of a little drop in precision.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

"How she put that subject matter in this huge canvas — it's a little drop but the ripple is tremendous".

The New York Times

Murray works the ball around, making Raonic run, stretch, and unable to reach a little drop shot.

The Guardian - Sport

"I won't even put jam on my matzo because it could have a little drop of water that will mix with the matzo".

The New York Times

They videotaped one year's pleasuring, he says, and "one pig caught its hoof in a grate and had a little drop of blood on its hoof".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"Federer has been at the top for so long now that it was always going to happen where he has, by his standards, a little drop-off," said Murray, who beat Carlos Moyà, 2-6, 6-1, 6-1.

The New York Times - Sports

Here in Eden our nerves relaxed a little (dropping perhapaps from treble A to middle C), but our mind was empty and useless.

The New Yorker

There's a little drop-down tab on the side that gives you access to plenty of settings, scenes, and modes.

TechCrunch

They have since softened a little, dropping their prosecution to a lesser charge of hooliganism.

Huffington Post

A little drops on her legs and she scoops this up and places it in his mouth.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little drop" when you want to emphasize the smallness and insignificance of an amount, whether literal (liquid) or figurative (effort, change).

Common error

Avoid using "a little drop" in formal writing or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "a small quantity" or "a slight decrease".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a little drop" is to act as a noun phrase, where "a little" functions as a determiner and adjective modifying the noun "drop". It quantifies the noun, indicating a small amount, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little drop" functions as a noun phrase, quantifying a noun to indicate a small amount or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts. While versatile, its register leans towards informal, suggesting more precise alternatives for formal writing. Remember to emphasize smallness when using it, and be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount

Emphasizes the quantity being small.

a tiny bit

Highlights the extreme smallness of the quantity.

a dash

Implies a very small amount, often used for adding ingredients.

a smidge

Informal term for a very small amount.

a trace

Suggests a barely detectable amount.

a touch

Implies a slight addition or influence.

a speck

Refers to a tiny particle or spot.

a hint

Suggests a subtle indication or flavor.

a modicum

A formal term for a small quantity.

a grain

Similar to a speck but often refers to granular substances.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little drop" to describe a small amount of liquid (e.g., "Add a little drop of vanilla extract"), or figuratively to describe a small impact or contribution (e.g., "Every donation is a little drop in the bucket.").

What are some alternatives to "a little drop"?

You can use alternatives like "a small amount", "a tiny bit", or "a dash" depending on the context.

Is "a little drop" formal or informal?

"A little drop" leans towards informal usage. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a slight decrease" or "a small quantity".

When should I avoid using "a little drop"?

Avoid using "a little drop" in highly technical or academic writing where precision is paramount. Opt for more specific and quantifiable terms.