little any

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little any" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be a combination of two words that do not work together to convey a clear meaning. Example: "I have little any interest in that topic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But there is little any of us can do".

The New York Times - Sports

But I'll take too much over too little any day.

The New York Times

If my weight is up a little any morning, I just eat less that day.

The New York Times

Although the new troika may advance Mr Surin's agenda a little, any planned action will still require a consensus.

The Economist

They are largely ignored by the media and, because the fans expect so little, any success is a bonus.

The Guardian - Sport

That is largely a measure of its irrelevance.There is little any outsider can do to prevent this slow decay of the Pakistani state.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Little, if any.

The New York Times - Food

There is little, if any, marine life.

The Economist

He developed little, in any sense.

The New Yorker

History provides little, if any, competition.

The New York Times

Did Little have any justification?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, specify quantities rather than relying on vague phrases like "little any". Use numerical values or more descriptive terms where possible.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "little any" when you intend to say "very little". Always double-check your writing and replace "little any" with the correct and more widely accepted phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little any" is generally considered grammatically incorrect but is sometimes used to indicate a small quantity or degree. As Ludwig AI points out, this is a non-standard construction and clearer alternatives exist.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "little any" appears in various sources, including news outlets, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that it's a non-standard construction and suggests opting for clearer, more accepted alternatives like "very little" or "hardly any". Using these alternatives ensures clarity and grammatical correctness, enhancing the credibility and precision of your writing. Therefore, it's best to avoid "little any" in formal contexts to maintain effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly any

Emphasizes a very small quantity or degree, almost none.

very little

Indicates a small amount, focusing on the lack of quantity.

scarcely any

Suggests that there is barely enough to even register.

almost no

Highlights the near absence of something.

virtually none

Implies that for all practical purposes, nothing exists.

next to nothing

Indicates a quantity so small it's insignificant.

a small amount of

Refers to a limited quantity, often used with uncountable nouns.

a few

Used with countable nouns to indicate a limited number.

not much

Informal way to express a small quantity or degree.

a minimum of

Indicates the smallest possible quantity or degree.

FAQs

What does "little any" mean?

The phrase "little any" is not a standard or grammatically correct English phrase. It is often intended to mean "hardly any" or "very little", expressing a small quantity or degree.

How can I avoid using "little any" in my writing?

To avoid using "little any", substitute it with more appropriate phrases like "very little", "hardly any", or "almost no" depending on the context of your sentence.

Which is correct, "little any" or "very little"?

"Very little" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "Little any" is generally considered incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing.

Are there situations where "little any" might be acceptable?

While "little any" appears in some published sources, it is generally considered non-standard. It is best to avoid this phrase altogether and use more widely accepted alternatives for clarity and correctness. Using a term like "scarcely any" maintains formality and avoids doubt.