a little material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little material" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of physical substance or content needed for a specific purpose. Example: "For the project, we only need a little material to complete the prototype."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Yeas, suh," said Ben. "The same deficiencies of nature prevail here as elsewhere, I reckon, requirin' a little material assistance to keep our pants up".

The New Yorker

Lower East Side Through Sunday Erin Shirreff can do a lot with just a little material, whether it's a scrap from her studio floor or an inadequate photograph of a sculpture that should be seen in person.

The New York Times - Arts

Traditionally shoe manufacturers will take one sample size (10 for men and 8 for woman) and design that shoe for maximum performance, then have the manufacturer add or subtract a little material to make different sizes.

TechCrunch

Campaign Files Subseries contains campaign literature, position papers, clippings, correspondence, newsletters, advertising plans, fundraising information, and college campus organizing materials chiefly regarding the 1992North Carolina Senatorial election, although there is a little material for the 1986campaign.

Duke University

While there is indeed evidence of deep reporting here, Lee's voice, and her insistence on crafting a pithy way for her reader to think about something, make her seem like a writer struggling to make a little material go a long way.

Forbes

He can obtain a suitable surface with the blade as an angledozer, when pushing a little material in second or third gear.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Investors don't expect much of such a little materials maker in a slowdown, which is why they have aggressively sold the stock.

Forbes

It is not a cosy little material" M Khachikyan, A Tarkhanyan, S Qalashyan, L Cherkezyan, M Baghdasaryan, H Tigranyan, Arthur Meschian, 1971 Suggested by tiojo Located 7.5 miles west of the Armenian capital Yerevan, this airport is one of the country's most recognisable modern buildings.

The Guardian - Arts

It is not a cosy little material".

The Guardian

As a result, very little material is ejected from the exploding star (~0.1 Msun).

Wikipedia

Washington, long a reliable presence too often asked to do a lot with too little material, has been on a tremendous recent career upswing thanks to TV's "Scandal" and "Django Unchained".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a little material", ensure the context clearly defines what type of material you're referring to, especially when the noun is not explicitly stated. For example, "We need a little material for the craft project" could be improved to "We need a little fabric for the craft project."

Common error

Avoid using "a little material" in situations where the type of material is unclear or ambiguous. This can lead to confusion. Be specific about what kind of material you're talking about.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little material" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "little" modifies "material". This indicates a small quantity of a substance or resource. Ludwig confirms the phrase is correct, and the examples provided illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little material" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that refers to a small quantity of a substance or resource. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, from describing the amount of fabric needed for a project to the quantity of information available on a topic. The phrase's register is neutral, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While the phrase is generally clear, it's essential to specify the type of material to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a small amount of material" or "a bit of material" can be used to convey similar meanings. The frequent sources where this pattern appears include news media and wikis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of material

Replaces "little" with "small amount of" for emphasis on the quantity.

a bit of material

Uses "bit" instead of "little" for a more informal tone.

a touch of material

Emphasizes a very slight amount, suitable when the material is subtly added.

a trace of material

Indicates an almost imperceptible amount of material.

a modicum of material

Uses a more formal term, "modicum", to suggest a limited but sufficient amount.

a fragment of material

Suggests the material is a broken-off piece or part.

a sliver of material

Implies the material is a thin, narrow piece.

a scattering of material

Describes a small, dispersed quantity of material.

a handful of material

Refers to the quantity that can be held in one hand.

minimal material

Emphasizes that only the least possible amount of material is used or present.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little material" to refer to a small quantity of something. For example, "We only need "a little material" to finish the prototype." The type of material should be clear from the context.

What phrases are similar to "a little material"?

Alternatives include "a small amount of material", "a bit of material", or "minimal material", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a little material" or "some material"?

Both "a little material" and "some material" are correct, but "a little material" emphasizes the small quantity, while "some material" is more general.

What's the difference between "a little material" and "very little material"?

"A little material" indicates a small but perhaps sufficient amount, while "very little material" implies scarcity or near absence.