little over

USAGE SUMMARY

"little over" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as an informal way of expressing time or distance. For example: "I drove a little over a mile to get to the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They got a little over optimistic.

TechCrunch

A little over year.

The New York Times

"A little over a hundred".

The New Yorker

A little over twelve hundred.

Yale University

A little over a minute remained.

The New Yorker

Little over a third were in pain.

The Economist

That's a little over two weeks.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Perhaps a little over- or possibly undercooked.

The New Yorker

Let's say I'm a little over-committed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She sighs, a little over-dramatically.

The Guardian - Music

"It's a little over-priced," King said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little over" to provide an approximate value that is slightly higher than a specific number, especially in informal contexts. For example, "The project took a little over a month to complete."

Common error

Avoid using "little over" in highly formal or technical writing where precise measurements are required. Opt for more exact quantifiers such as "1.2 meters" instead of "a little over a meter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little over" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating an amount slightly exceeding a given quantity or measurement. As Ludwig AI states, it's a common way of expressing approximation. Examples include "a little over a year" and "a little over a hundred."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little over" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that an amount is slightly more than a specific value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is well-suited for informal contexts, particularly in news and media, but should be used cautiously in formal or technical writing where precision is key. Alternatives such as "slightly more than" or "just above" can be used for greater formality. Remember to use "little over" to provide approximate values and avoid it when precise measurements are necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly more than

Emphasizes a small degree of exceeding a certain amount.

Just above

Implies being marginally higher than a specific value or limit.

A bit beyond

Suggests going slightly past a particular point or amount.

Somewhat exceeding

Formal way of expressing a slight excess.

Marginally surpassing

Highlights the act of going slightly beyond a limit.

In excess of

Indicates that the amount is more than a specified value.

A shade over

Informal way to mean slightly exceeding a value.

Slightly upwards of

Indicates the quantity is a little more than a number.

Barely past

Emphasizes that you just passed a number.

Just a fraction above

Highlights that you passed by a small fraction of a number.

FAQs

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

You can use "little over" to indicate an amount or quantity that is slightly more than a specific value. For example, "The meeting lasted a "little over" an hour."

What can I say instead of "little over"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly more than", "just above", or "a bit beyond" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "little over" in formal writing?

While "little over" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language such as "slightly exceeding" or providing an exact value.

What is the difference between "little over" and "much over"?

"Little over" indicates a small amount exceeding a value, while "much over" implies a significantly larger amount. For instance, "a "little over" $100" suggests a small increase, whereas "much over $100" suggests a substantial increase.