little

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "little" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is used for emphasizing that something is small in size, or a small quantity of something. For example: "She had little confidence in her own abilities".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Sports

Travel

Lifestyle

Opinion

World

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Too little, too late.

The New York Times - Sports

Scheduled to make the 1,492km 9277 miles) journey every day except Christmas Day, the A320 plane has seen passengers delayed for as little as two minutes and as long as 12 hours and 18 minutes.

The Guardian - Money

"So I'm guessing you're coming up a little short in the 'good role model' department.

The Guardian

It's kind of in its own little bubble.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It took a little to get used to, but it's great".

The Guardian - Tech

They are seen as fetters on our freedom of action and finances, but doing little to moderate the behaviour of irresponsible states or to assist our wellbeing as a nation".

The Guardian

Indeed, the world is ruled by little else.

The Economist

There may be little appetite for further bloodshed from the Real IRA, and US president George Bush's new ultimatums on world terrorism may see further decline in support for Irish nationalists from the US.

The Guardian

Beyond anecdote, we know very little about what kind and quantity of information is being delisted from search results, what sources are being delisted and on what scale, what kinds of requests fail and in what proportion, and what are Google's guidelines in striking the balance between individual privacy and freedom of expression interests.

The Guardian - Tech

"I was a little gobsmacked by it and I understood he had a purpose for this but I did not know it," Costa said of the run-in.

The Guardian

First Dog on the Moon presents First Email on the Moon, which will send a link and a little extra cartoon straight to your inbox when they're published on the Guardian website.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little" to describe emotions or abstract concepts, consider whether a more precise adjective would strengthen your writing. For instance, instead of "little concern", you might use "minimal concern" or "fleeting concern" to convey a nuanced meaning.

Common error

While "little" is perfectly acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for synonyms like "minimal", "slight", or "limited" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "little" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate smallness in size, amount, or degree. It can also serve as an adverb, modifying verbs to express a slight extent. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating these functions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Travel

10%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Opinion

4%

Tech

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "little" is a versatile descriptor primarily functioning as an adjective or adverb to denote smallness, insignificance, or limited extent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and prevalent in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Travel and Sports as illustrated by Ludwig, the word is generally considered neutral in formality, though careful synonym selection can elevate formal writing. When using "little", consider more precise alternatives or using it too much, particularly in formal settings. Overall, "little" remains a fundamental part of speech for expressing scale and degree.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small

Indicates a reduced size or amount, directly replacing "little" in many contexts.

tiny

Emphasizes a very small size, similar to using "little" for emphasis.

slight

Implies a small degree or amount, comparable to "little" in intensity.

minor

Suggests something less important or significant, akin to a "little" problem.

mere

Emphasizes how small or unimportant something is, much like "little".

insignificant

Highlights a lack of importance, mirroring the meaning of "little" in some uses.

modest

Suggests a moderate or humble amount, like a "little" success.

limited

Indicates a restricted quantity or extent, similar to having "little" of something.

paltry

Conveys a sense of something being small and worthless, similar to a "little" effort.

inconsiderable

Highlights something not worth considering due to its small size or impact, analogous to "little".

FAQs

How can I use the word "little" in a sentence?

You can use "little" as an adjective to describe something small in size or amount, like "a little house" or "little time". It can also be an adverb, meaning "not much", as in "a little known fact".

What are some synonyms for "little"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "small", "tiny", "minor", or "insignificant".

Is it correct to say "a little bit"?

Yes, "a little bit" is a common and grammatically correct phrase. It is often used to emphasize a small amount or degree.

When should I use "few" instead of "little"?

"Little" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "little water"), while "few" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "few apples"). Consider the noun you are modifying to determine the correct word.