little reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"little reason" is a correct phrase in English and can be used in written language.
It generally means that there is not a significant or compelling reason for something to happen or be done. Example: Despite the excitement surrounding the new product launch, there is little reason to believe it will be a success without proper marketing and advertising.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The young have little reason to stay.

The New York Times

There is little reason to doubt him.

The New York Times

Many outsiders see little reason for hope.

The New York Times

There is little reason to think so.

The Economist

It has little reason to go further.

The Economist

They had little reason to suspect fraud.

The Economist

They had little reason to suspect trouble.

The New York Times

There was little reason for concern.

The New York Times - Sports

Hawaii fans had little reason to cheer.

The New York Times - Sports

They had little reason to leave.

The Guardian - Film

There is little reason to wait, though.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little reason", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or belief lacks sufficient justification. Providing context enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "little reason" when you mean there is absolutely no reason at all. "Little reason" implies a slight, though insufficient, justification, whereas "no reason" indicates a complete absence of justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little reason" functions as a determiner + noun construction, indicating the absence of a significant or compelling cause or justification. It is frequently used to express doubt or skepticism, as showcased in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little reason" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote the absence of a compelling justification or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The analysis reveals its frequent appearance in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, indicating its suitability for neutral and objective communication. Related phrases like "scant justification" and "minimal grounds" offer alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. Remember to use "little reason" to express a slight, but not total, lack of justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no good reason

States in a direct way that something is not sufficiently justified.

hardly any reason

Emphasizes how little reason exists.

minimal grounds

Highlights the lack of solid basis or support.

limited basis

Focuses on the restricted scope or foundation.

scant justification

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the provided justification.

inadequate motive

Highlights the insufficiency of the driving force or incentive.

negligible rationale

Emphasizes the insignificance of the reasoning behind something.

slight cause

Suggests a small or insignificant reason.

thin excuse

Focuses on how unconvincing and superficial the excuse is.

weak pretext

Implies a flimsy or unconvincing excuse.

FAQs

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

You can use "little reason" to indicate that there is not a strong justification for something, such as "There is "little reason" to doubt his claims given the evidence presented".

What's the difference between "little reason" and "no reason"?

"Little reason" suggests some slight justification exists, though inadequate, while "no reason" implies a complete absence of any justification. For example, "There is "no reason" to panic" means there is absolutely no cause for alarm.

Which is correct: "little reason" or "few reasons"?

Both are correct but have slightly different meanings. "Little reason" refers to a lack of a single, compelling justification. "Few reasons" implies there are multiple reasons, but not many. Choose based on the specific context you intend to express.

What can I say instead of "little reason"?

You can use alternatives like "scant justification", "minimal grounds", or "no good reason" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.