in a little bit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a little bit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a short amount of time before something will happen or be done. Example: "I'll call you back in a little bit once I finish my meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pressure is setting in a little bit.

The Guardian - Sport

We let YC put in a little bit of money.

TechCrunch

Having a new phone or iPod will help you fit in a little bit.

WikiHow

It will take in a little bit and the energy should last about 2 days.

WikiHow

"It's sunk in a little bit.

The Guardian

"Fade it in a little bit easier around the neck.

The New York Times

"That obviously had to be reined in a little bit".

The New York Times

"I was in a little bit of a slump.

The New York Times - Sports

And we're in a little bit of a quandary offensively.

The New York Times - Sports

So I had to rein myself in a little bit.

The New Yorker

Maybe he was cheating in a little bit.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a little bit" when you want to convey a short, indefinite period of time before something occurs. It's suitable for both casual and moderately formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in a little bit" repeatedly within a short span of text. Vary your language with alternatives like "shortly" or "in a moment" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a little bit" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying when an action will occur. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various written contexts. For example, "We'll get to Russia in a little bit" indicates the timing of a future action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a little bit" functions as a prepositional phrase used adverbially to denote a short, unspecified time interval before an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct and its usage is widespread, particularly in news, wiki, and academic contexts. While versatile, consider alternative phrasing like "shortly" to avoid redundancy and to tailor formality. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various settings, and understanding its communicative purpose ensures effective use. "In a little bit" helps set temporal expectations with a touch of imprecision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shortly

Single word substitution, more concise.

in a moment

Similar in meaning, slightly more formal.

in a while

Implies a slightly longer duration than "in a little bit".

in a short time

More descriptive, emphasizing brevity.

after a while

Slight shift in focus from immediate to near future.

presently

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

before long

Emphasizes the quickness of the future event.

in due course

Implies a more structured or expected sequence of events.

at some point

Less specific, referring to an indefinite time in the future.

down the line

Suggests further into the future, less immediate.

FAQs

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

You can use "in a little bit" to indicate that something will happen soon. For example, "I'll be there "in a little bit"" means you will arrive shortly.

What are some alternatives to "in a little bit"?

Some alternatives to "in a little bit" include "shortly", "in a moment", "in a while", or "soon". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "in a little bit" or "shortly"?

Shortly is generally considered more formal than "in a little bit". "In a little bit" is suitable for most everyday situations, while "shortly" might be preferred in professional settings.

What's the difference between "in a little bit" and "in a while"?

While both phrases refer to a time in the near future, "in a little bit" typically implies a shorter duration than "in a while". Use "in a little bit" when something will happen very soon, and "in a while" when it will happen within a somewhat longer, but still indefinite, period.