little period of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little period of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a short duration or interval of time in various contexts. Example: "I only need a little period of time to finish this task before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Leigh will be taken out of football now for a little period of time," Rodgers said.

The Guardian - Sport

Like my character, I was very much growing up in that little period of time.

The Guardian - Film

I haven't had cause to set foot inside the prime minister's office for a little period of time but it is rumoured that deep inside the Abbott bunker there's a dartboard with John Howard's face on it.

The Guardian

They got a lot of media attention, and it grew very quickly for a little period of time," he says.

TechCrunch

"I am so grateful to the club for everything they have given me and the way in which they have supported me so strongly". In December, then Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said Griffiths would be "out of football for a little period of time" because "he's reached a point where it's a struggle for him".

BBC

They got a lot of media attention, and it grew very quickly for a little period of time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

White agrees: "You see these little periods of time in certain cities and certain places where there's just an energy that happens to catch.

The Guardian - Music

It is a very user-friendly platform which allows you to do a lot of nice visualizations in a short period of time with little effort.

Duke University

What Sama and his two founders have pulled off in a short period of time with little funding in India is impressive.

TechCrunch

For example, 24 h recall can be conducted in a short period of time with little detail or can take an extended period with multiple passes through the preceding day to obtain as complete a record as possible.

British Journal of Nutrition

Side-effects are usually evaluated by indices of mortality and morbidity over a short period of time with little regard to how lifetime medication (like statins and β-blockers that are typically used for CVD prevention) may affect quality of life.

Heart

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision in your writing, consider replacing the somewhat vague "little period of time" with more specific terms like "brief moment" or "short interval" if the context allows for it. This can enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "little period of time" in formal or academic contexts. While grammatically correct, it can come across as less sophisticated than alternatives like "brief interval" or "short duration", which are more appropriate for scholarly writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little period of time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause by indicating duration. It specifies the length of an action or state. Ludwig AI shows the phrase being used to indicate temporary breaks or short phases.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little period of time" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a short duration or interval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various contexts like news, science and academia, though it might be slightly less common in formal writing. While it functions primarily to quantify duration, more precise alternatives like "brief moment" or "short interval" may enhance clarity. The phrase exhibits a neutral register, suitable for general communication, and the source analysis indicates its frequent presence in News & Media and Science publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief moment

Replaces "period of time" with "moment", emphasizing brevity.

short interval

Substitutes "period of time" with "interval", focusing on the pause or space between events.

fleeting duration

Uses "fleeting duration" to highlight the temporary nature of the time span.

small window

Employs "small window" as a metaphor for a limited opportunity or time frame.

quick spell

Replaces with "spell", which implies a continuous period but short.

short burst

Conveys a sudden and brief release of time.

temporary phase

Focuses on the transitional aspect of the short duration.

limited span

Emphasizes the restricted length of the time.

passing instance

Highlights the fleeting nature of a single occurrence in time.

brief stint

Suggests a short, assigned period of activity or work.

FAQs

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

You can use "little period of time" to describe a short duration, as in, "I need a "little period of time" to finish this task."

What are some alternatives to "little period of time"?

Some alternatives include "brief moment", "short interval", or "fleeting duration", depending on the context.

Is "little period of time" too informal for academic writing?

While not strictly incorrect, "little period of time" can be perceived as less formal. Consider using alternatives like "brief interval" or "short duration" in academic contexts.

What's the difference between "little period of time" and "short period of time"?

"Little period of time" and "short period of time" are largely interchangeable, but "short period of time" may sound slightly more formal and is perhaps more common.