a little extensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little extensive" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used incorrectly, as "extensive" implies a large amount or degree, which contradicts "a little." Example: "The report was a little extensive, covering more topics than necessary."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

First of all, building an instrument of torture from scratch seems a little extensive of a commitment for a man urgently trying to find his daughter.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That's a little more extensive".

The New York Times

It overlies the Veneneia basin, which is a little less extensive at 375km across.

BBC

In these cases we assumed that percutaneous Achilles tenotomy alone could not obtain satisfactory correction; hence, a little more extensive surgery was performed in some cases.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Some changes may need to be a little more extensive to feel like you are becoming the person you were always meant be and fully reaching your potential.

Huffington Post

Press play on the clip below, listen to the most frustratingly intriguing two seconds of audio you'll hear all day and pray that we get something a little more extensive from the pair soon.

Vice

Start a charity in their name, this may be a little bit extensive to them, but if you feel for the cause it's a good way to spread the name and be remembered.

WikiHow

The mob must have played a key role in Jesus' condemnation, although there is little extensive historical evidence to support the scene played out in films and movies in which Pontius Pilate asks the crowd to choose between Barabbas the robber and Jesus.

Huffington Post

Very different models using clinical parameters at an early postnatal age to predict BPD have been developed with little extensive quantitative validation.

BMC Pediatrics

Table 1 Amount of experienced feedback Topic Feedback No Little Extensive Body positioning 43 36 21 Camera navigation 40322828 Instrument handling 31393131 Intracorporeal knot tying 11 42 47 Other tips and skills 46 25 29.

Gynecological Surgery

CTO's were readily adopted in Victoria twenty years ago with little extensive debate, and to date, there has been little open discussion about their actual value.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "a little extensive" as it combines contradictory concepts. Instead, opt for phrases that accurately reflect the intended degree of excess, such as "somewhat excessive" or "slightly too detailed".

Common error

The mistake is combining "a little", which implies a small quantity, with "extensive", which means large or thorough. Choose a single, consistent descriptor to avoid confusing your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little extensive" functions as a descriptive modifier, but its contradictory nature undermines its effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is not standard English usage. It is typically used incorrectly, as "extensive" implies a large amount or degree, which contradicts "a little."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little extensive" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the combination of "a little" and "extensive" creates a contradictory expression. While individual words are commonly used, their pairing results in an illogical phrase. Alternatives such as "somewhat excessive", "slightly too detailed", or "a bit over the top" offer clearer and more accurate ways to convey the intended meaning. When aiming to express that something is somewhat detailed, ensure that your phrasing accurately reflects the intended degree of excessiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat excessive

Replaces "a little extensive" with a clearer and more grammatically sound adjective.

slightly too much

Uses "too much" to convey the idea of exceeding a reasonable limit.

a bit over the top

Suggests something is beyond what is considered appropriate or necessary.

rather detailed

Focuses on the level of detail provided, implying it might be more than required.

a tad long-winded

Implies the explanation or piece of writing is unnecessarily lengthy.

somewhat elaborate

Highlights the complexity and intricacy, suggesting it might be more than needed.

a trifle verbose

Indicates an excess of words, making it unnecessarily wordy.

marginally redundant

Suggests that some parts are repetitive and unnecessary.

a shade protracted

Implies the duration or length is somewhat extended beyond what's ideal.

relatively comprehensive

Indicates a wide scope but avoids the negative connotation of being excessive.

FAQs

Is "a little extensive" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "a little extensive" is not grammatically correct. The term "extensive" suggests something is comprehensive or large in scope, which contradicts the qualifier "a little". Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical inconsistency.

What are some alternatives to "a little extensive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "somewhat excessive", "slightly too detailed", or "a bit over the top".

When is it appropriate to use "extensive" in writing?

Use "extensive" when you want to emphasize that something is comprehensive, thorough, or covers a large area or scope. For example, "The research was extensive, covering all aspects of the topic."

How can I avoid making mistakes with similar contradictory phrases?

Pay close attention to the individual meanings of the words you combine. Ensure that the qualifiers and descriptors align in terms of scale and degree. If a phrase sounds awkward, it's often a sign that the combination is illogical.