a little of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a little of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "some" or "a small amount of". For example: "I only have a little of the ingredients necessary to make this recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Books

Magazine

Opinion

Blogs

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

A little of both.

The New York Times

A little of each.

The New York Times

Oldman: A little of each.

The New York Times

Presumably a little of both.

The New York Times

So a little of everything".

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe a little of both.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

A little thrill of danger.

The New Yorker

A little bit of lemon.

The New Yorker

A little problem, of course.

Independent

A little bit of everything.

The New York Times

"A little bit of weaving".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little of" before a non-countable noun, it implies a small quantity, for example "a little of the water."

Common error

Avoid using "a little of" with countable nouns when you intend to convey a small number. Instead, use "a few of" for countable items, such as "a few of the books".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little of" functions as a determiner indicating a small quantity or degree of something. It's typically followed by a noun or pronoun, specifying what the 'little' amount refers to. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

13%

Sports

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a small quantity or degree. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and widely employed across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. When writing, remember to use "a little of" with uncountable nouns and "a few of" with countable nouns to maintain accuracy. Alternatives such as "some of", "a bit of", and "a small amount of" can be used depending on the specific context. With its frequent presence in authoritative sources, "a little of" remains a reliable and effective phrase for expressing limited quantities or partial inclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A bit of

This is a more informal synonym, indicating a small quantity or degree.

A small amount of

This is a more explicit way of expressing a limited quantity, removing any ambiguity.

A touch of

This alternative suggests a very small amount or slight influence, emphasizing subtlety.

A hint of

Similar to "a touch of", this emphasizes a subtle or barely perceptible amount.

Some portion of

This phrase implies a specific fraction or percentage of something, making it more precise.

A fraction of

This is a more formal way of indicating a small portion or percentage.

A taste of

This alternative implies an experience or sample of something, rather than a physical quantity.

A measure of

This phrase indicates a certain degree or extent, often used with abstract concepts.

Part of

This suggests a more significant but still incomplete inclusion.

An element of

This phrase suggests that something is a component or aspect of a larger whole.

FAQs

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

Use "a little of" to describe a small quantity or degree. For example, "I need "a little of" your time" or "He showed "a little of" his talent during the performance".

What's the difference between "a little of" and "a few of"?

"A little of" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, time), while "a few of" is used with countable nouns (e.g., books, people). For example, "I drank "a little of" the juice" versus "I read "a few of" the articles".

What can I say instead of "a little of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "some of", "a bit of", or "a small amount of".

Is it correct to say "a little of" followed by a plural noun?

While "a little" typically modifies uncountable nouns, using "a little of" before a plural noun is grammatically acceptable when referring to a portion or sample of something. For instance, "I tried "a little of" the cookies".