little consolation

USAGE SUMMARY

'little consolation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small amount of comfort that someone is able to offer in a difficult situation. For example: Her kind words of sympathy brought little consolation to the grieving family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is little consolation.

The Economist

A heartwarming, little consolation thing.

The New York Times - Travel

Family life provided little consolation.

The New Yorker

It was little consolation.

The New York Times - Sports

McIlroy said that was "little consolation.

The New York Times - Sports

But there is little consolation here.

The Economist

The G-20 statement offered little consolation.

The New York Times

But that is little consolation now.

The New York Times

It was of little consolation.

The New York Times - Sports

But that seems little consolation.

The New York Times

But that's little consolation for Nascar fans.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little consolation" when you want to emphasize that something which might normally be comforting offers very limited comfort in a particular situation.

Common error

Avoid using "little consolation" when something provides absolutely no comfort at all; instead, consider phrases like "no consolation" or "completely unhelpful."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little consolation" functions as a noun phrase complement, often following a linking verb such as "be" or "seem". It expresses the idea that something offers minimal comfort or relief. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little consolation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the idea of minimal comfort or relief in a disappointing situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and sports reporting. While alternatives like "scant comfort" or "slight solace" exist, "little consolation" remains a versatile and effective choice for expressing a lack of satisfaction. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of minimal, rather than absent, comfort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scant comfort

Replaces "consolation" with "comfort" emphasizing the limited degree of relief.

slight solace

Substitutes "consolation" with "solace", suggesting a small amount of peace or comfort.

meager comfort

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the comfort provided.

small comfort

Uses "small" instead of "little" to convey a similar meaning of limited comfort.

not much help

Shifts the focus to the lack of assistance or support provided.

hardly reassuring

Highlights the lack of reassurance offered by something.

offers minimal comfort

Rephrases to focus on the act of offering and the extent of comfort.

provides limited relief

Focuses on the provision of relief and its restricted nature.

insufficient comfort

Directly states that the comfort is not enough.

unsubstantial solace

Emphasizes the lack of substance or significance in the solace offered.

FAQs

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

You can use "little consolation" to express that something offers minimal comfort or relief. For example, "The fact that the team played well was "little consolation" after the crushing defeat".

What's a good substitute for "little consolation"?

Alternatives to "little consolation" include phrases like "scant comfort", "slight solace", or "meager comfort", all suggesting minimal relief.

Is it ever appropriate to use "no consolation" instead of "little consolation"?

Yes, use "no consolation" when there is absolutely no comfort or relief provided, whereas "little consolation" implies that some small amount of comfort exists, even if it's insufficient.

What is the difference between "small comfort" and "little consolation"?

"Small comfort" and "little consolation" are largely interchangeable, both indicating a limited degree of comfort or relief. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.