a little support

USAGE SUMMARY

'a little support' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express that a small amount of help or assistance is needed from someone or something. For example, "I could really use a little support from my family during this difficult time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Give us a little support.

The New York Times

You may need to offer a little support, though.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Under Bill Clinton, California could always count on a little support from the White House.

The Economist

They're doing great work and could do even more with a little support.

Yale University

"We got to show a little support, right?" His band mates didn't buy it.

The New York Times

Recognition and a little support from friends will help me to persevere.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many of Mumbai's poorest neighbourhoods could become functional and even desirable with a little support from the authorities.

The Guardian

If products like Temp Tee are given "a little support," he adds, "it's amazing what they can do".

The New York Times

"Any time that I think something has happened that he needs a little support, I'll do that," Torre said.

The New York Times - Sports

With his approval rating among American voters at an all-time low, President Obama could use a little support from his peers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I believe that a little patriotism, a little "supporting the troops," a little flag-waving and "even" the singing of our national anthem and saluting our colors at sports events is perfectly OK.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting something, use "a little support" to politely indicate you don't need extensive help, but some assistance would be appreciated.

Common error

Avoid using "a little support" when significantly more help is required, as it can misrepresent the true level of assistance needed and potentially lead to unmet expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little support" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates the need for or provision of a small amount of assistance, encouragement, or aid. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little support" is a versatile phrase used to express the need for or provision of a small amount of help or assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic and formal settings. While versatile, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects the level of assistance involved to avoid miscommunication. Alternatives like ""some assistance"" or ""a bit of help"" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit of help

A more informal and common way to express a need for assistance.

a degree of assistance

More formal and emphasizes the level or extent of assistance.

some assistance

Focuses on the act of helping rather than quantifying the amount.

limited help

Highlights that the help given or received is restricted.

slight aid

Emphasizes the small degree of help provided.

minimal backing

Highlights the least amount of endorsement or help.

a touch of help

Uses a more figurative expression for a small amount of assistance.

a modicum of support

A more sophisticated term for a small quantity of support.

a small contribution

Shifts the focus to the act of contributing to a cause or effort.

some encouragement

Specifies the type of support as motivational.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little support" when you need some help, but not a lot. For instance, "I just need "a little support" to finish this project on time."

What is a synonym for "a little support"?

Alternatives include "some assistance", "a bit of help", or "slight aid". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

"A little support" implies a smaller amount of help is needed compared to "some support". The choice depends on the degree of assistance you require.

Can "a little support" refer to emotional help?

Yes, "a little support" can refer to emotional help, such as "some encouragement" during a difficult time. For example, "I just need "a little support" from my friends right now."