a little too

USAGE SUMMARY

"a little too" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to show that something has a greater degree or amount than is desired or reasonable. For example: "I ate a little too much cake yesterday and now I feel sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A little too fine.

The New York Times

A little too early?

Independent

A little TOO perfect.

The New York Times

A little too sweet.

The New York Times - Arts

A little too comfortable.

The New York Times

"Maybe a little too big".

The New York Times

Maybe a little too much.

The New York Times

Maybe a little too concise.

The New York Times

Maybe a little too busy.

The New York Times

All a little too neat?

The Economist

All a little too academic?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little too" to express a mild degree of excess or something being slightly beyond the desired level. It's useful for nuanced criticism or gentle suggestions.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "a little too" in formal or academic writing, as it can sound informal or undermine the seriousness of your point. Opt for more precise language like 'slightly excessive' or 'somewhat immoderate' to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little too" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective or adverb that follows. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates that something slightly exceeds the desired or acceptable level. The Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a little too" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to express mild excess or gentle criticism. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media. While versatile, remember to use it judiciously in formal contexts. It serves the purpose of expressing nuances without being overly harsh, allowing for more diplomatic communication. Consider related phrases, such as "slightly excessive" or "somewhat inordinate", for varied expression. Remember, context is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a bit much

Informal way of saying something is slightly overwhelming or excessive.

verging on excessive

Implies that something is close to being too much.

slightly excessive

Emphasizes a small degree of being beyond what is needed or desired.

kind of extra

Informal expression for something being over the top.

a tad extreme

Indicates that something is mildly beyond acceptable boundaries.

a shade hyperbolic

Suggests a slight exaggeration or overstatement.

somewhat inordinate

Suggests a degree that exceeds reasonable limits or norms.

rather immoderate

Conveys a sense of lacking restraint or being excessive.

marginally undue

Emphasizes that something is barely inappropriate or unwarranted.

scarcely within reason

Indicates that something is barely contained within acceptable limits.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little too" to indicate that something exceeds a desired level, such as, "The music was "a little too loud"" or "He's "a little too confident" for my liking."

What phrases are similar to "a little too"?

Similar phrases include "slightly excessive", "somewhat inordinate", or "a tad extreme", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a little too much" the same as "a little too"?

"A little too much" is more specific, referring to quantity or degree, while "a little too" is a more general qualifier that can modify adjectives or adverbs. For example, "There was "a little too much salt"" versus "The soup was "a little too salty"".

When is it appropriate to use "a little too" in writing?

It's appropriate in contexts where you want to express mild criticism or a gentle observation without being overly harsh. It is typically used in informal or neutral registers but should be used sparingly in highly formal or academic writing.