little help from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little help from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to receiving a small amount of assistance or support from someone or something. Example: "I managed to finish the project with a little help from my friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now he has circumnavigated the world, albeit with a little help from nature.

BBC

It needs little help from me.

The New York Times

"A little help from the Lord, Riveraa said.

The New York Times - Sports

It gets by with a little help from its friends.

Independent

He may also get a little help from the economy.

The Economist

All he needed was a little help from his superfriends.

The New York Times - Sports

She gets a little help from her ex-husband.

The New York Times

There was a little help from across the Channel.

The New York Times

Then, presumably with a little help from C.G.I., it speaks.

The New Yorker

9. Get a little help from your friends.

University of California, Berkeley

It could use a little help from Congress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little help from", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of assistance. This clarifies who or what provided the support, enhancing the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "little help from" when the assistance was significant. Using this phrase implies a minor contribution; a more appropriate phrase should be chosen for substantial support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little help from" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and usable, indicating that it fits well within standard English grammar. It specifies the source of assistance or support that contributes to an action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little help from" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something provided a small amount of assistance. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, confirms its widespread use across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While alternatives exist to add nuance or formality, this phrase effectively communicates a moderate level of support. According to Ludwig, "little help from" is correct and usable in written English, confirming its validity for general use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight assistance from

Replaces "help" with "assistance" and "little" with "slight" for a more formal tone.

minimal support from

Substitutes "help" with "support" and "little" with "minimal" emphasizing the small amount of aid received.

some aid from

Uses "aid" instead of "help" and "some" to replace "little" suggesting a small but unspecified amount of assistance.

a bit of help from

Employs "a bit of" instead of "little" offering a more conversational tone.

a small contribution from

Replaces "help" with "contribution" highlighting the act of giving assistance.

a touch of assistance from

Uses "a touch of" to emphasize the subtlety and small quantity of the help.

partial assistance from

Indicates that only part of the necessary help was received.

limited assistance from

Similar to minimal support, emphasizing that the assistance was not comprehensive.

scant aid from

Implies the help was barely sufficient or not enough.

modest support from

Uses "modest" to underscore the humble and limited nature of the support.

FAQs

What does "little help from" mean?

The phrase "little help from" signifies receiving a small or modest amount of assistance or support from someone or something. It suggests that while the help was beneficial, it wasn't the sole factor in achieving a particular outcome.

How can I use "little help from" in a sentence?

You can use "little help from" to indicate the source of minor support. For instance, "I finished the project with a "little help from" my colleagues" shows that colleagues provided some assistance, but you likely did most of the work.

What are some alternatives to "little help from"?

Alternatives include "slight assistance from", "minimal support from", or "a bit of help from". These phrases can add variety to your writing while conveying a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "little help from" or "a little help from"?

Both "little help from" and "a little help from" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. "Little help from" can sometimes imply that the help was so small as to be almost insignificant, while "a little help from" simply suggests a small amount of assistance.