little existing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little existing" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that has minimal presence or availability, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "There is little existing evidence to support the claim."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

There is little existing literature on the subject and that which exists is mainly descriptive.

Globalization and Health

While there is little existing office space to lease in Monmouth County, this could change, he added, if projects planned there, totaling more than one million square feet, move ahead or the economy cools.

The New York Times

"He was given the thankless task of spending $40 billion on energy technology very quickly at a department with little existing capacity to do so productively, so it's something of a miracle there weren't more Solyndras," said Paul Bledsoe, an energy aide in the Clinton White House.

The New York Times

Since there is little existing research on this topic, further related studies are necessary.

International Journal of STEM Education

Thus far, little existing research has been published in this field for EM students.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

However, little existing work has been done that focused on evaluating said systems.

Journal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Instead, the system puts out the easiest and most familiar product: development that segregates housing and business and invests little into existing communities in short, development that is land-consumptive and auto-dependent".

Environmental Health Perspectives

"Like an odd little England existing high up above the rest of South Africa.

The New York Times

In their first American museum retrospective, their work feels more than a little embalmed, existing behind a not-so-invisible sheild of artistic conservatism.

The New York Times - Arts

Some experts said today that the new regulation added little to existing securities fraud law, which already covers misleading or false research.

The New York Times

In their first American museum retrospective, their work feels more than a little embalmed, existing behind a not-so-invisible shield of artistic conservatism.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little existing", consider whether a more precise adjective like "scarce", "limited", or "minimal" might better convey your intended meaning and enhance clarity.

Common error

While "little existing" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated vocabulary to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little existing" primarily functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that there is a small or insufficient amount of something that already exists. Ludwig examples showcase this in contexts like research, data, or evidence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

19%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little existing" is an acceptable phrase used to indicate that there is a small or insufficient amount of something that already exists. While grammatically sound and common, as indicated by Ludwig, it's advisable to consider whether a more precise adjective might be more effective, especially in formal writing. Ludwig AI found the phrase acceptable. It's commonly found in scientific and news contexts, highlighting gaps or deficiencies. Alternatives like "scarce existing" or "limited existing" can offer nuanced meanings. Be mindful of overuse and prioritize clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarce existing

Replaces "little" with "scarce", emphasizing the rarity of what exists.

limited existing

Substitutes "little" with "limited", highlighting a restriction in the quantity or extent of what is present.

minimal existing

Uses "minimal" instead of "little", focusing on the small amount that exists.

meager existing

Replaces "little" with "meager", suggesting that what exists is not only small in quantity but also inadequate.

sparse existing

Employs "sparse" to indicate that what exists is thinly distributed or scattered.

rare existing

Uses "rare" to indicate the infrequency of what exists

scant existing

Substitutes "little" with "scant", emphasizing an insufficient amount of what is present

virtually non-existent

Indicates that what exists is almost not there

hardly any existing

Uses "hardly any" to emphasize the lack of quantity or extent of what is present

a paucity of existing

Replaces "little" with "paucity", indicating the deficiency of what exists.

FAQs

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

You can use "little existing" to describe a situation where there's a small amount of something already present. For example, "There is little existing research on this topic".

What phrases are similar to "little existing"?

Alternatives include "scarce existing", "limited existing", or "minimal existing", which emphasize the rarity or restriction of something already present.

Is it grammatically correct to say "little existing"?

Yes, "little existing" is grammatically acceptable, but it's often more effective to use clearer and more specific wording depending on the context.

What is the difference between "little existing" and "hardly any existing"?

"Little existing" implies a small amount already present, while "hardly any existing" suggests a near absence of something. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize scarcity or near non-existence.