added a little

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "added a little" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a small amount of something that has been included or contributed to a situation or mixture. Example: "She added a little sugar to the recipe to enhance the flavor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, consider this, suppose you added a little content?

University of California, Berkeley

It added a little drama and a little apprehension.

Independent

Their time apart "added a little frisson," she said.

The New York Times

"I mean, she's learning French," she added, a little incredulous.

The New York Times - Magazine

We added a little paper crinkle to the top of his head as well.

Princeton University

We added a little more functionality to the date-filtering part of the advanced interface.

Cornell University

I added a little hoisin sauce just to make sure the flavor was rich enough.

The Washington Post

"Oh, I think me being black added a little oomph to it".

The New York Times - Sports

"It had some Cracker Jacks in it, added a little baseball flair to it.

The New York Times - Sports

"So we added a little rim to prevent food from spilling".

The New York Times

The ruling added a little clarity to America's incomprehensible racial laws.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "added a little" to convey a subtle increment or enhancement, avoiding stronger terms when a delicate touch is intended.

Common error

In formal or scientific writing, avoid overusing "added a little". Opt for more precise terms like "increased slightly" or "supplemented minimally" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "added a little" functions as a verb phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a small increase or addition. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its broad applicability across contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "added a little" is a versatile phrase used to describe a small increase or contribution, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various sources make it a reliable choice for conveying subtle increments. While generally neutral in register, be mindful of context, opting for more precise language in formal settings. Keep in mind the best practices and common errors to refine your writing further. Overall, it is important to use the term in the right context to achieve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

included a bit

Focuses more directly on the act of including something small.

contributed slightly

Emphasizes the act of contributing in a minor way.

introduced a touch

Highlights the delicate or subtle addition of something.

supplemented minimally

Implies a small addition to complete or enhance something.

enhanced subtly

Focuses on the slight improvement or enhancement made.

integrated marginally

Suggests the incorporation of something with minimal impact.

increased marginally

Highlights a minor increase or growth.

provided a hint

Emphasizes giving just a suggestion or trace of something.

sprinkled lightly

Implies a delicate or sparse addition, often in a figurative sense.

mixed in sparingly

Highlights the careful and restrained addition of something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "added a little" is used to indicate a small quantity of something being included. For example, "She "added a little" sugar to her coffee" or "He "added a little" more detail to the story."

What's a more formal way to say "added a little"?

In formal contexts, you might replace "added a little" with phrases like "increased slightly", "supplemented minimally", or "enhanced subtly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "added a little" too informal for academic writing?

While "added a little" isn't strictly incorrect, it leans toward the informal side. For academic writing, consider alternatives such as "integrated marginally" or "contributed slightly" to maintain a more professional tone.

What is the difference between "added a little" and "added a lot"?

"Added a little" indicates a small quantity or degree, while "added a lot" signifies a significant quantity or degree. For example, "She "added a little" salt" means just a small amount was added, whereas "She added a lot of salt" indicates a large amount.