little good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little good" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has minimal or no positive effect or value. Example: "The advice he gave me was of little good in my situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It did little good.

The New York Times - Sports

The explanation did little good.

The New Yorker

Her testimony did little good.

The New York Times

It does little good to wonder why.

The New York Times - Food

Start shooting!' But it did little good".

The New Yorker

"It's not even a little good".

The New York Times

It had done him little good.

The New Yorker

But it did little good.

The Guardian

The high ground did him little good.

The New York Times - Arts

I buy a little good stuff.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There was a little good news.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little good" when you want to downplay the positive impact of something, implying it's either ineffective or provides minimal benefit. For instance, "The extra training did "little good" in improving the team's performance".

Common error

Avoid using "little good" when you actually mean something had a completely negative impact. "Little good" implies some slight benefit, however minimal. If there was no benefit at all, consider stronger phrases like "completely useless" or "counterproductive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little good" primarily functions as a quantifier modifying a noun, often in constructions like "did "little good"", "of "little good"", or "there is "little good"". It indicates a small amount or limited extent of positive effect or benefit. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little good" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to diminish the positive impact or value of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in scientific, formal, and informal contexts. When using "little good", ensure you're accurately conveying a small degree of benefit, not a completely negative outcome. Alternatives such as "minimal benefit" or "negligible effect" can provide nuanced variations. Remember to consider the specific context to prevent misinterpretations and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal benefit

Replaces "good" with "benefit", emphasizing the lack of positive outcome.

scant advantage

Substitutes "little" with "scant" and "good" with "advantage", highlighting the limited usefulness.

negligible effect

Replaces "good" with "effect", focusing on the minimal impact.

limited value

Emphasizes the restricted worth or importance of something.

meager assistance

Highlights the inadequacy of help or support provided.

slight improvement

Focuses on the small degree of positive change or progress.

hardly beneficial

Uses an adverbial phrase to express the lack of positive impact.

virtually useless

Emphasizes the ineffectiveness or lack of practical use.

not very helpful

Directly states the lack of assistance or support.

of little consequence

Indicates the lack of importance or significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "little good" to express that something has minimal or no positive effect. For example: "The apology did "little good" in repairing the damaged relationship." or "The new policy did "little good" in solving the problem."

What are some alternatives to saying "little good"?

Alternatives to "little good" include phrases like "minimal benefit", "negligible effect", or "limited value". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "did little good" or "did no good"?

"Did "little good"" implies that there was a small, almost insignificant positive impact, while "did no good" indicates that there was absolutely no positive impact. The choice depends on the actual outcome you're describing.

What is the difference between "little good" and "not much good"?

The phrases "little good" and "not much good" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. Both suggest a lack of significant benefit or positive effect. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.