little more effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little more effort" is not correct as it is missing an article.
It should be "a little more effort." You can use it when suggesting that someone should increase their effort slightly to achieve a better outcome. Example: "If you put in a little more effort, you'll see significant improvements in your performance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Using Blekko takes a little more effort.

The New York Times - Tech

When you're commuting, it takes a little more effort to integrate into the campus community.

Stanford University

Enrichment plants can make fuel for reactors or, with a little more effort, atom bombs.

The New York Times

For that matter, shouldn't we put a little more effort into helping elect Democrats to Congress?

The New York Times

Offstage, it takes Mr. Garlin a little more effort to keep it together.

The New York Times

So I was in for a little more effort than I bargained for.

The New Yorker

You have to put a little more effort into writing a woman".

The Guardian

These bloom most of the year and require little more effort than a Rex begonia.

The New York Times

But it also could have been, with a little more effort, a lot better.

The New York Times

Actually, the transition involves a little more effort than just finishing the final report cards.

The New York Times

But with a little more effort, the same ears can achieve transcendence.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the grammatically correct phrase "a little more effort".

Common error

The most common mistake is omitting the article 'a' before "little", resulting in the grammatically incorrect phrase "little more effort". Remember to always include 'a' for correct usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little more effort" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It quantifies the amount of additional work or energy needed. It is typically part of a larger clause offering encouragement or suggesting improvement. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression without the article is incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

27%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little more effort" is a common expression used to encourage a slight increase in dedication for better results. As Ludwig AI points out, it's crucial to include the article 'a' for grammatical correctness. While frequently found across news, wiki articles, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both informal and professional settings. Remember to use alternative phrases, like "slightly more effort" or "a bit more effort", to add variety to your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and correctly use this phrase to motivate and inspire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little extra effort

Adds 'extra' to emphasize that the effort is above and beyond the usual.

slightly more effort

Uses 'slightly' instead of 'little', emphasizing a small degree of increased effort.

a bit more effort

Replaces 'little' with 'bit', offering a more informal synonym.

a tad more effort

Substitutes 'little' with 'tad', adding a touch of informality and lightness.

a touch more effort

Replaces 'little' with 'touch', indicating a delicate or subtle increase in effort.

a shade more effort

Similar to 'a touch more effort', but slightly more emphatic.

marginally more effort

Employs 'marginally' for a more formal and precise indication of a small increase.

a fraction more effort

Highlights that only a small part, or a fraction, more is needed.

somewhat more effort

Uses 'somewhat' to suggest a moderate increase in effort, slightly more than 'little'.

slightly greater effort

Substitutes 'more' with 'greater', suggesting a more significant, though still small, increase in effort.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "little more effort"?

No, the correct phrase is "a little more effort". The article 'a' is required for grammatical accuracy. Saying "little more effort" is a common error.

What can I say instead of "a little more effort"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly more effort", "a bit more effort", or "a little extra effort" depending on the context.

How does "a little more effort" differ from "much more effort"?

"A little more effort" suggests a small increase in exertion, while "much more effort" implies a significant or substantial increase. The choice depends on the degree of additional effort required.

Which is correct, "a little more effort" or "a little bit more effort"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a little more effort" is more concise. "A little bit more effort" is slightly more emphatic but can sometimes sound redundant.