a little overlap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a little overlap' is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe two or more things that have an amount of similarities or intertwining features. For example, "The teams had a little overlap in their proposed strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

There are many alternative explanations for "bad", "mad" or "sad" boys, with just a little overlap.

The Guardian

At least, I had an issue subletting my apartment when I had a little overlap when I moved to my second place.

Cornell University

I've been listening to these two single-disk collections (there's a little overlap) and reading the fanatically devoted Wilson "solography" by Jan Evensmo.

The New Yorker

Time was when the two sports co-existed happily enough, each within the boundaries of their respective seasons and only a little overlap between the two.

The Guardian - Sport

"A little overlap and a little duplication may not be bad," said Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va)., whose appropriations subcommittee considered the White House plan.

The Washington Post

Some of them were probably too young to have listened to the show, and there was probably at least a little overlap with the crowd that crammed into the tiny Avenue of the Americas record shop Fat Beats on its final day last year.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Most of the area was within the Western Basin and Range plate of McCaffrey (2005) and a little overlapped his Eastern Basin and Range plate.

Earth, Planets and Space

This, in fact, is consistent with the published data showing a surprisingly little overlap for genes differentially expressed in various cell lines following external beam IR exposure in the same dose [ 12, 23].

BMC Genomics

The involvement of bacterial STYKs in various cellular processes described in the previous sections suggests a very little overlap with the Histidine kinases and the protein kinases of the eukaryotes.

BMC Genomics

However, in most cases, a very little overlap across sites was observed, suggesting that different genes controlling bud flush were expressed differently considering the diverse environments tested for Douglas fir.

BMC Genomics

The common expression changes observed in ethanol tolerant strains A-F showed little overlap with previous studies about ethanol tolerance in E. coli cells [ 15, 39].

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little overlap", ensure it's clear what is overlapping and in what context. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a little overlap" implies insignificance. Even a small overlap can be crucial depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little overlap" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It describes the degree to which two or more things share common attributes or characteristics. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is used in a grammatically correct fashion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little overlap" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a partial intersection or similarity between two or more things. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its neutral register allows for broad application across diverse fields, including news, science, and general discussions. While seemingly simple, this phrase is important for nuanced communication, acknowledging shared elements without implying complete equivalence. The contexts in which this phrase appears most frequently are in News & Media sources. When using "a little overlap", clarity is key, ensuring that the context and specific elements involved in the overlap are well-defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some commonality

Indicates the presence of shared features or characteristics, but not extensively.

small amount in common

Focuses on the quantity of shared attributes or characteristics.

slight intersection

Focuses on the geometric aspect of intersection, emphasizing a small area of shared space.

modest intersection

Similar to "slight intersection", but with a different adjective to describe the size of the overlapping area.

limited sharing

Highlights the act of sharing, but only to a limited degree or in certain aspects.

minor correspondence

Highlights a small degree of agreement or similarity between two things.

slight amount of shared data

Emphasizes the existence of shared information but to a minimal degree.

fractional intersection

Highlights that only a portion overlaps and is not the whole component.

partial concurrence

Emphasizes agreement, but only to a limited extent.

some partiality

Addresses that there are shared components, but the components as a whole are not in agreement or the same.

FAQs

What does "a little overlap" mean?

The phrase "a little overlap" means there is some similarity or intersection between two or more things, but not a complete one. The extent of the similarity is small or limited.

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

You can use "a little overlap" to describe shared responsibilities: "There's "a little overlap" between our roles, so we coordinate our efforts closely." Or use it to describe similarities in two distinct concepts: "While different, the two theories have "a little overlap"."

What are some synonyms for "a little overlap"?

Alternatives to "a little overlap" include "slight intersection", "minor correspondence", or "some commonality". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a little overlap" instead of "no overlap" or "complete overlap"?

"A little overlap" is appropriate when there is some, but not extensive, sharing or intersection. Use "no overlap" when there is no similarity and "complete overlap" when things are identical or fully encompass each other.