little left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is a small amount remaining of something, often in a context where quantity is being discussed. Example: "After the meeting, there was only a little left of the cake for the staff to enjoy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Now there is little left to rot.

The New York Times

"There was very little left," she said.

The New York Times

There's still a little left.

The New York Times - Food

There's very little left over.

The New York Times - Magazine

He had very little left".

The New York Times

There's very little left to the imagination".

The New York Times - Sports

She felt herself a little left out.

The Guardian - Books

I'm a little left of that (laughter).

The Guardian - Film

There will be a little left over.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"A little left-to-right crossover!" Descriptive, yes.

The New York Times - Sports

My third team is a little left-field: Aston Villa.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little left", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced or depleted. For example, "After the renovations, there was "little left" of the original design."

Common error

Avoid using "little left" when a precise numerical value is known. Instead of saying "There's "little left"," when you know the exact quantity, use a specific number or a phrase like "only 5 units remain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little left" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (often implied) to indicate a small or scarce quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage. It commonly serves to describe a situation where something is diminished or depleted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little left" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote a small quantity or remainder. Ludwig AI indicates it's a widely accepted phrase. It commonly appears in news, media, and various general contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and be mindful of subjectivity, avoiding its use when precise quantities are known. Consider alternatives such as "scarcely any remaining" for greater emphasis on scarcity or "a small amount is left" for more directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not much is remaining

Similar to "little left" but can imply a subjective judgment about the quantity.

a small amount is left

Directly states the presence of a limited quantity, suitable for straightforward contexts.

scarcely any remaining

Emphasizes the near absence of something, highlighting the minimal quantity available.

hardly anything is left

Similar to "scarcely any remaining", emphasizing the minimal amount.

almost nothing remains

Focuses on the lack of a substantial amount, suggesting that very little is present.

virtually none available

Highlights the scarcity, suggesting that there is barely any of something accessible.

only a trace remains

Implies an extremely small amount is present, often used in contexts where something has mostly disappeared.

a negligible quantity left

Indicates the amount remaining is so small it's practically insignificant.

meager amount remaining

Indicates the amount is small and insufficient, often implying a lack of something needed.

a pittance remains

Suggests the remaining amount is not only small but also inadequate or contemptible.

FAQs

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

You can use "little left" to indicate a small quantity or remainder of something, such as "There's "little left" of the cake" or "He has "little left" to achieve".

What can I say instead of "little left"?

Alternatives to "little left" include "scarcely any remaining", "almost nothing remains", or "a small amount is left", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "there's little left"?

Yes, "there's little left" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that only a small amount remains. It is widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts.

What is the difference between "little left" and "nothing left"?

"Little left" implies that a small quantity still exists, while "nothing left" means that everything has been used or consumed, and there is absolutely none remaining. Consider if there "almost nothing remains", or if it's truly gone.