little fault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little fault" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor mistake or error in a context where the severity of the fault is being downplayed. Example: "Despite the little fault in the report, the overall analysis was impressive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Germans, normally quick to complain, find little fault with their health care.

The Economist

Caldwell, for one, finds little fault with his coach's rookie season.

The New York Times - Sports

Many are underemployed and unproductive, through little fault of their own.

The Economist

For Democrats, the short-term diagnosis just isn't good, through little fault of their own.

The Guardian - Opinion

The lead increased by a run in the third, again through little fault of Appier's.

The New York Times - Sports

He is famously self-critical, but even he could find little fault with a virtuoso performance against the Oakland Athletics.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I was paying for that car with all the little faults he took such pleasure in finding.

The New York Times - Magazine

He drives or walks down the main street and stops frequently to point out little faults in dress, posture, salutes, and what all.

The New Yorker

It can be seen that, as the window width increases, the SVs of the four methods show an increasing trend, which may result from too little fault-related information in each segment when the window width is small.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Little faulting has occurred after this initial rotation, however, as the upper horizons are near horizontal.

Earth, Planets and Space

For all the car's many admirable and quantifiable virtues, it is frustrating and disappointing to find it let down by little faults that coalesce into a greater lament.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little fault", consider the context and whether a more specific term like "minor imperfection" or "slight defect" might be more appropriate for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "little fault" when a more serious issue is present. Ensure the description aligns with the actual severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little fault" typically functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates a minor degree of imperfection or responsibility. This is supported by examples from Ludwig, where the phrase is used in contexts like "find little fault with" or "through little fault of their own".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

16%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little fault" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates a minor imperfection or limited responsibility. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is valid and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media sources and serves to downplay issues. While its usage isn't overwhelmingly common, understanding its function and suitable alternatives like "minor imperfection" or "slight defect" can enhance precision in writing. Be careful to not overstate the insignificance of the fault, ensuring the description aligns with the true severity of the situation. Its register is generally neutral, adapting to the tone of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Minor imperfection

Emphasizes the smallness of the flaw.

Slight defect

Highlights a small flaw in something.

Negligible flaw

Stresses that the fault is so small it can be ignored.

Minimal failing

Underscores that the failure is very small.

Hardly any problem

Focuses on the absence of significant issues.

Small mistake

Identifies a small error.

Insignificant error

Highlights the unimportance of the error.

Not much wrong

Emphasizes the lack of substantial issues.

Few shortcomings

Indicates that there are few negative qualities.

Scarcely any issue

Stresses the rarity or absence of a problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "little fault" to indicate a minor issue or something that is not significantly flawed. For example, "The design has "few flaws", finding "little fault" in its execution".

What are some alternatives to "little fault"?

Alternatives include "minor imperfection", "slight defect", or "negligible flaw", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "little fault" or "few faults"?

While both are grammatically correct, "little fault" refers to a general lack of significant problems, whereas "few faults" implies there are some specific, albeit minor, issues.

What's the difference between "little fault" and "no fault"?

"Little fault" suggests that there are some minor issues, while "no fault" indicates a complete absence of blame or error. The phrases aren't interchangeable; one means "minor imperfection", and the other means "blameless".