little further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little further" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a small additional distance or extent in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "If you walk just a little further, you'll find the café on the right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But there has been little further communication.

The Economist

Look up and walk a little further.

Independent

On Tuesday, he went a little further.

The New York Times

"There's probably a little further drop coming.

The New York Times

Some Republicans went back a little further.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Each day I sink a little further".

The Guardian - Books

"I think it's a little further off.

The New York Times

First, let's go back a little further.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'd like to go a little further.

Independent

Consider the hapless Dr B a little further.

The Guardian

Perhaps just a little further off than she thought before.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little further" to describe progress, ensure that the context clarifies what the progress is related to. For instance, specify "a little further along in the project" rather than just "a little further."

Common error

Avoid using "little further" without providing sufficient context. Ensure the reader understands what is being advanced or extended. Ambiguity can arise if the reference point is unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little further" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree or extent of an action or state. It specifies a small amount of additional distance, time, or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Huffington Post

17%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

The New Yorker

3%

Science

3%

The Guardian

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little further" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that signifies a slight advancement or extension in distance, time, or abstract progress. According to Ludwig AI, it's versatile enough to be used in various contexts, ranging from News & Media to scientific discussions. While its register is generally neutral, ensuring clarity is key to avoiding ambiguity. The examples in Ludwig show its broad applicability, making it a reliable phrase for expressing incremental movement or development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly farther

Changes the adverb "little" to "slightly" and "further" to "farther", maintaining the same meaning of a small distance.

just beyond

Implies an action that goes slightly past something.

a bit more distant

Replaces "further" with "more distant" and "little" with "a bit", emphasizing the incremental increase in distance.

a small step forward

Emphasizes the action as a literal step and not in a metaphorical form. Indicates forward direction.

somewhat ahead

Implies a position that is slightly advanced or progressed compared to the current one.

marginally beyond

Indicates that something is just a little past a certain point or limit.

incrementally ahead

Highlights the process of gradually moving in a direction.

a tad onward

Uses informal language ("a tad") to convey a slight movement forward.

a hair's breadth away

This phrase means being very close to something or very small amount of movement or progress.

a shade ahead

Implies an increase or improvement, with shade replacing bit.

FAQs

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

You can use "little further" to indicate a slight progression in distance, time, or abstract concepts. For instance, "If you walk a "little further", you'll see the sign", or "Let's analyze this "little further" before making a decision".

What are some alternatives to "little further"?

Alternatives to "little further" include "slightly farther", "a bit more distant", or "just beyond". The choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a little further" or "little further"?

Both "a little further" and "little further" are grammatically acceptable, though "a little further" is more common in general usage. The inclusion of "a" slightly emphasizes the incremental nature of the distance or progression.

What does "little further" imply in a metaphorical sense?

Metaphorically, "little further" suggests a small advancement in understanding, progress, or analysis. It indicates that some additional effort or exploration is required to reach a more complete or satisfactory conclusion. For instance, to go "a bit more distant" is to dive deeper in any concept, in search of something that is not in sight.