little of both

USAGE SUMMARY

'little of both' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express a small amount of both options or ideas. Example: She has a little of both her mother's determination and her father's creativity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

A little of both.

The New York Times

Presumably a little of both.

The New York Times

Maybe a little of both.

The New Yorker

Probably a little of both.

The New York Times

It is perhaps a little of both.

Independent

Little of both, in my mind.

The New York Times

The answer is a little of both.

The New York Times

"A little of both," he said.

The New York Times

A little of both, it turned out.

The New York Times

Maybe it's a little of both.

The New York Times

And sometimes a little of both.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little of both" when you want to acknowledge that two different things contribute to a situation, outcome, or characteristic without specifying exact proportions. It is effective for expressing nuanced perspectives.

Common error

While "little of both" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language may be required. Consider using more specific terms to describe the proportions or relationship between the elements you're discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little of both" functions as a qualifier or modifier, indicating that two different elements or factors contribute to a particular situation or outcome. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is typically used to express that neither element is solely responsible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little of both" is a versatile expression used to indicate the presence of two different elements or factors contributing to a situation. Grammatically correct and commonly used, according to Ludwig, it effectively conveys a balanced perspective, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it is crucial to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings where greater precision is required. Remember, Ludwig provides diverse examples of usage to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a degree of both

Indicates that the presence of each option is not absolute or complete.

both to a certain extent

Highlights that each option is only present in a limited quantity or degree.

a touch of each

Implies a very small quantity of each option is present, more delicate than "little of both".

a blend of both

Suggests the two options are mixed together to form something new.

a mixture of both

Similar to 'a blend of both', but implies less integration or transformation.

some aspects of both

Highlights that not everything from each option is included, only certain aspects.

elements of each

Similar to 'some aspects of both', but perhaps referring to fundamental components.

a combination of the two

More formal, emphasizes the act of combining the two options.

partly one, partly the other

More explicit separation, less integrated than "little of both".

incorporating aspects from both

Formal and emphasizes the active inclusion of elements from both options.

FAQs

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

You can use "little of both" to indicate that two different factors or qualities are both present to some extent. For example, "The project's success was a "little of both" planning and luck."

What are some alternatives to using "little of both"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a touch of each", "some aspects of both", or "a blend of both" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "little of both" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "little of both" might be considered too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider more precise alternatives if a higher degree of formality is needed.

What's the difference between "a little of both" and "some of both"?

"A little of both" implies a smaller quantity or influence from each option compared to "some of both", which suggests a more significant contribution from each.