little of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a small amount or degree of something, often in a context where you are discussing a limited quantity or extent. Example: "There is little of the original plan left after all the changes we made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A little of both.

The New York Times

A little of each.

The New York Times

Oldman: A little of each.

The New York Times

We see little of it.

Independent

I know little of football.

Independent

Little of either was taken.

The Economist

Little of this is news.

The New York Times - Books

Presumably a little of both.

The New York Times

He knew little of acting.

The New York Times

Gold displayed little of that.

The New York Times - Sports

I ate little of it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if "few" or "a little" might be more appropriate depending on whether you are referring to countable or uncountable nouns. "Few of the books" vs. "Little of the water".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "little of" with "a little of". "Little of" implies scarcity or a lack, whereas "a little of" suggests a small but existing amount. For example, "There is little of the original plan left" implies almost none remains, while "There is a little of the original plan left" means some still exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little of" primarily functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, indicating a small quantity or degree. It modifies the noun to express scarcity or a limited amount. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little of" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate a small quantity or degree of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts but is also suitable for various other types of writing. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the specific noun it modifies and whether the intended meaning is scarcity or simply a small amount. Remember to differentiate "little of" from "a little of" to avoid confusion, as "little of" suggests scarcity. Use "little of" when you want to emphasize that there is not much of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of

Emphasizes the quantity involved is not substantial.

a bit of

Suggests a slightly informal and less precise quantity.

a trace of

Highlights the minimal presence or indication of something.

a touch of

Implies a subtle or delicate amount, often used with abstract qualities.

scant amount of

Emphasizes insufficiency or scarcity of something.

minimal quantity of

Highlights the absolute lowest amount possible.

negligible amount of

Focuses on the unimportance or insignificance of the quantity.

limited quantity of

Suggests the quantity available is restricted or finite.

small fraction of

Indicates the quantity is only a part of a larger whole.

hint of

Suggests an indirect or subtle indication, often used for abstract things.

FAQs

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

Use "little of" to indicate a small quantity or degree of something. For instance, "There is "little of" the original plan remaining" suggests that almost none of the original plan is still in place.

What's the difference between "little of" and "few of"?

"Little of" is generally used with uncountable nouns (e.g., ""little of" the water"), while "few of" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "few of the books").

What are some alternatives to "little of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a small amount of", "a bit of", or "a trace of".

Is it correct to say "little of the" or "little of" without "the"?

Both are grammatically correct, but using "little of the" is more common when referring to a specific thing or group. For example, "little of the water" is more specific than simply ""little of" water".