but little

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but little" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a small amount or degree of something, often in a context where a contrast is being made. Example: "He had but little time to prepare for the exam, yet he managed to do well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But little was resolved.

The Economist

But little happened.

The Economist

But little else does.

The New York Times

But little changes.

Independent

But little damage was done.

The Economist

But little else has happened.

The Economist

But little has gone smoothly.

The New York Times

But little else has changed.

The Economist

But little has been done.

The Economist

But little has happened since.

The Economist

But little has really changed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but little" to create a subtle contrast or to downplay the significance of something. For example, "The project faced numerous challenges, but little progress was made."

Common error

Avoid using "but little" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "not much" or "hardly any" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but little" primarily functions as an adversative conjunction, indicating a contrast or qualification to a preceding statement. As Ludwig highlights, it suggests that despite certain conditions or efforts, the result is minimal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but little" functions as a conjunction phrase that introduces a contrast and implies a small quantity or minimal impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of writing contexts, though alternatives like "not much" or "hardly any" exist for more informal situations. Predominantly found in news and media, it's a useful way to add nuance and qualification to your writing. The frequency of the expression is common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely any

Stresses the rarity or insufficiency of something.

hardly anything

Similar to "scarcely any", but with a slightly broader scope.

yet few

Emphasizes the contrast between expectation and actual quantity.

barely anything

Highlights that almost nothing has happened.

however small

Highlights the limited size or extent of something.

a paucity of

Emphasizes the lack or deficiency of something.

only a bit

Indicates a minimal amount or degree.

to a limited extent

Focuses on the restricted scope or degree of an action or condition.

not much

A more direct and informal way of expressing a small quantity.

a modicum of

Suggests a very small or moderate amount, often in a formal context.

FAQs

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

"But little" is used to express a small amount or degree, often contrasting with a previous statement. For example, "He tried to help, "but little" came of it."

What are some alternatives to "but little"?

Alternatives include "scarcely any", "hardly any", "not much", or "only a bit". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "but little" formal or informal?

"But little" leans towards a slightly more formal register than alternatives like "not much", but it is generally suitable for a variety of writing contexts.

What's the difference between "but little" and "but few"?

"But little" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "but little time"), while "but few" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "but few opportunities").