a little under

USAGE SUMMARY

"a little under" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "a little under" when referring to a quantity that is slightly lower than an amount or number. For example, "I have a little under one hundred dollars in my wallet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Price and his wife receive a tax credit worth a little under $300 a month.

Huffington Post

Avon is a little under the radar.

The New York Times

had a little under 4.9 million.

The New York Times

Perhaps a little under 20 – or younger still.

Independent

"Stanley" finished the course in a little under seven hours.

The Economist

Some of them pale a little under a strong light.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Fond of a little under-statement is Mr Sheens.

Independent

"So just a little under-arm, over the net.

The New York Times

Sweetly informal, if a little under-spiced, it was an auspicious start to an improbable liaison.

Independent

Plus, I'd had a busy week and felt a little under-rehearsed.

Huffington Post

They're crucial to your practice but also a little under-appreciated.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When dealing with numbers, avoid vagueness and specify either an exact number or a range when you can. Example, if you have 98 dollars it’s much better to say, "I have 98 dollars instead of I have a little under 100"

Common error

Avoid using "a little under" when precision is crucial. In scientific or financial contexts, opt for specific numerical values instead of approximate phrases to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little under" functions as a qualifier, specifically indicating that a certain quantity or amount is slightly less than a stated value. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English. The examples confirm its use in various contexts to provide an approximate value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little under" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to indicate that a value is slightly less than a specific number. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English writing. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to provide an approximate or estimated amount. When using this phrase, it’s important to consider the need for precision and avoid its use in contexts where exact numbers are required. Overall, understanding and using "a little under" effectively can enhance clarity in your writing, especially when exact numbers aren’t necessary or available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly below

Emphasizes a small degree of difference, focusing on the lower value.

just under

Highlights the proximity to a specific threshold or limit.

a tad less than

Replaces "little" with "tad", which is less formal, and explicitly mentions "less".

fractionally lower than

Uses more formal language to indicate a small difference.

marginally beneath

Employs a more sophisticated vocabulary to express a slight decrease.

a hair's breadth below

Uses a figurative expression to convey a minimal difference.

not quite reaching

Shifts the focus to the failure of attaining a certain level or value.

in short supply of

Indicates that there is a shortage.

somewhat shy of

Expresses that something is lacking to achieve a target.

a touch less than

Substitutes "little" with "touch", implying a delicate amount less.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a little under" in a sentence?

You can replace "a little under" with phrases such as "slightly below", "just under", or "a tad less than" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a little under" or "slightly less than"?

Both "a little under" and "slightly less than" are acceptable, but "slightly less than" may sound more formal. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone of your writing.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a little under"?

Avoid using "a little under" when precision is important. In technical or financial reports, using exact numbers is preferable for accuracy. In those cases use the precise numbers.

What does "a little under" imply about the quantity being described?

It implies that the quantity is close to, but not quite reaching, a certain amount or value. The difference is small, but noticeable.