a little more

USAGE SUMMARY

"a little more" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
You might use it to refer to something needing a smaller degree of something, but not a full amount. For example, "I need a little more time to finish this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A little more.

The New Yorker

A little more hopeful.

Independent

Smile a little more.

The Economist

"A little more boob.

The New Yorker

"Maybe a little more".

The New Yorker

"A little more warmth".

The New York Times

"Being a little more bold".

The New York Times

He cried a little more.

The New Yorker

It's a little more neutral.

The New York Times

He smiled a little more.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a little more balanced".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little more" to indicate a small increment or addition, rather than a significant change. For instance, "Add a little more salt to the soup".

Common error

Avoid using "a little more" without specifying what needs to be increased. Instead of saying "We need a little more", specify, "We need "a little more funding"" or "a little more time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little more" functions primarily as a determiner phrase, modifying nouns to indicate a small increase in quantity or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples include "a little more time", "a little more effort", or "a little more understanding".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little more" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a small increase or addition. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate in a wide range of contexts. As shown by Ludwig examples, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, suggesting a neutral to informal register. When using this phrase, be sure to specify what needs to be increased to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "slightly more" or "a bit extra" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more

Emphasizes a minimal increase, similar to "a little more" but with a focus on the small degree of change.

a tad more

An informal way of saying "a little more", often used in casual conversation.

a bit extra

Suggests an informal addition, similar to "a little more" but using more casual language.

a shade more

Implies a very slight increase, almost imperceptible.

a touch more

Similar to "a shade more", suggesting a delicate addition.

some additional

A more formal alternative, implying a supplement to what already exists.

a fraction more

Highlights that the increase is a very small portion of the whole.

slightly increased

Focuses on the act of increasing something by a small amount.

somewhat greater

A more formal and comparative way to express a small increase.

marginally higher

Indicates a small, often statistically insignificant, increase.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little more" to indicate a small increase or addition. For instance, "Could you add "a little more water" to my glass?" or "I need "a little more time" to finish the task".

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

Alternatives include "slightly more", "a bit extra", or "some additional" depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it correct to say "a little bit more" instead of "a little more"?

Yes, "a little bit more" is grammatically correct and often used interchangeably with "a little more", especially in informal contexts. It emphasizes the small quantity even further.

What's the difference between "a little more" and "much more"?

"A little more" indicates a small increase, while "much more" suggests a significantly larger increase. For example, "I need "a little more salt" in my soup" versus "I need "much more space" in my new apartment".