at little

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at little" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be an attempt to express a small amount or degree, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "I was able to complete the task at little cost."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"He tweaked his knee at little.

The New York Times - Sports

Everybody's just peering down at little screens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Clearly it will stop at little.

The New York Times

They don't pick at little things.

The New York Times - Magazine

Board members, in their suits, sat at little tables.

The New Yorker

He said this could be done at little cost.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The reclining buddha at little-visited Nagala.

The Guardian - Travel

Peter was already a star at little-guy soccer.

The New Yorker

at Little Neck Pkwy.

The New York Times

HP: Foot-long fish fingers at Little Chef.

Independent

Make it snappy... Blackie at Little Ochie.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While the phrase "at little" appears in various sources, consider replacing it with more grammatically standard alternatives like "at a small cost" or "with minimal effort" for clarity and precision.

Common error

Instead of using the somewhat ambiguous phrase "at little", choose more precise wording that directly conveys your intended meaning. For instance, use "at a minimal cost" instead of "at little cost" when discussing expenses. Similarly use "with little effort" when discussing effort. Always aim for clarity to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at little" functions primarily as a prepositional modifier, aiming to describe the extent or degree to which something is achieved or experienced. Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect but also provides real world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "at little" is frequently encountered, its grammatical correctness is questionable according to Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate a minimal amount of cost, effort or risk. Despite its common usage, especially in News & Media sources, employing clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "at a low cost" or "with minimal effort" enhances clarity and precision. Therefore, it's advisable to use "at little" with caution, considering the context and audience, and opting for more unambiguous phrasing when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with minimal effort

Focuses on reducing the amount of effort required.

at a low cost

Specifies a low monetary expense.

with little expense

Similar to 'at a low cost' but emphasizes the lack of financial burden.

at a minimum

Highlights doing something with the least possible amount.

with minimal investment

Emphasizes the small amount of resources or time needed.

at a small price

Indicates a modest financial cost.

with hardly any trouble

Focuses on the ease and lack of difficulty involved.

at slight cost

Implies a cost that is barely noticeable or insignificant.

with little to no effort

Emphasizes the ease, indicating almost no exertion is required.

at virtually no cost

Highlights that the cost is so low as to be almost non-existent.

FAQs

Is "at little" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "at little" is considered grammatically questionable. It's more appropriate to use phrases like "at a small cost" or "with minimal effort".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "at little"?

You can use alternatives like "at a low cost", "with minimal effort", or "at a minimum" depending on the context.

How can I use "at little cost" correctly in a sentence?

A better way is to rephrase it. For instance, instead of "This can be done at little cost", try "This can be done "at a low cost"" or "This can be achieved "with minimal effort"".

What's the difference between "at little cost" and "at a low cost"?

"At little cost" is often considered grammatically awkward. "At a low cost" is clearer and more grammatically correct. Both phrases mean that something can be done inexpensively.