delete as little

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delete as little" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the importance of minimizing deletions in a text or data set, often in the context of editing or data management. Example: "When revising the document, aim to delete as little as possible to preserve the original meaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In other words, since the sources of information are assumed to be equally reliable, the merge should delete as little as possible from the sources.

SEP

You can delete as little or as much of your usage history as you like.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Delete as appropriate.

The Guardian - Sport

Aww/eww – delete as necessary.

The Guardian

This has been deleted as incorrect.

The Guardian

Both points have been deleted as incorrect.

The Guardian

(Expletive deleted, as the Nixon-era saying goes).

The New Yorker

This has been deleted as LRDG was a separate entity.

The Guardian

The post was eventually deleted as commentators expressed disgust.

The Guardian

The tweet was deleted as of Wednesday morning.

Huffington Post

"Refused" was deleted as a response category.

BMC Medical Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When editing or revising content, use "delete as little" when you want to convey the importance of preserving the original information and meaning.

Common error

Avoid deleting information simply for the sake of brevity. Ensure that each deletion is necessary and does not compromise the integrity or clarity of the original content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delete as little" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the extent to which something should be deleted. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, emphasizing minimizing deletions to preserve meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "delete as little" is grammatically correct and aims to minimize the removal of information, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively rare, it's applicable across various contexts like science, news, and wikis. When writing, prioritize preserving essential details, as advised by Ludwig AI. Alternatives include "remove as little as possible" or "minimize deletions". Over-editing is a common mistake to avoid. Use "delete as little" when you want to preserve accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove as little as possible

Replaces "delete" with "remove" and adds "as possible" for emphasis.

erase as little as you can

Substitutes "delete" with "erase" and adds a personal touch with "you can".

minimize deletions

Uses a more concise and formal phrasing, focusing on minimizing the act of deletion.

keep deletions to a minimum

Emphasizes keeping the number of deletions as low as possible.

delete only when necessary

Shifts the focus to deleting only when there is a clear need to do so.

limit the amount deleted

Focuses on limiting the quantity of what is deleted.

reduce deletions

A more direct and action-oriented phrase, advocating for reducing deletions.

avoid unnecessary deletions

Highlights the avoidance of deletions that are not essential.

prune sparingly

Uses "prune" metaphorically to mean delete, suggesting careful and minimal removal.

cut back as little as possible

Employs "cut back" as a substitute, implying a reduction or trimming rather than complete removal.

FAQs

How can I use "delete as little" in a sentence?

You can use "delete as little" to emphasize the importance of preserving information when editing. For example, "When revising the report, try to "delete as little" as possible to maintain accuracy".

What is a good alternative to "delete as little"?

Alternatives include "remove as little as possible", "minimize deletions", or "keep deletions to a minimum".

Is it better to "delete as little" or "remove as little"?

"Delete as little" and "remove as little" are very similar. "Delete" is more specific to digital content, while "remove" can apply to physical or digital contexts. Use the one that fits best with the context of your writing.

When is it appropriate to "delete as little" as possible?

It's appropriate when you are editing important documents, code, or data where preserving the original content and meaning is crucial. For example, when correcting errors or "updating information", aim to "delete as little" as possible.