little service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small or minor act of assistance or help provided to someone. Example: "I appreciate the little service you did for me by holding the door open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Finally, a little service journalism.

The New Yorker

Shells need little service to be stored.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they do so with too little service and at too much cost.

The Economist

"You go into most of these hotel rooms, and they have beige walls and gray carpets, and very little service.

The New York Times

That wonderful pout did me little service, however, in defending myself against the same attacks two years later.

The New Yorker

Given the current neglect of Wheatley, limiting this book to his government papers does him little service.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Subsurface systems need periodic inspection but usually require little servicing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"They provide us with all these little services," she said.

The New York Times - Science

Now we have a zillion different little services who bring that in-house".

The New Yorker

"I think that since they've never lived in a doorman building, they think they're entitled to these little services".

The New York Times

We get very little services, high taxes and if we complain, we are afraid our business will be boycotted by the residents in charge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little service" to downplay the significance of an action, often to express modesty or to avoid overstating its importance. For example, "It was a little service, but I'm glad it helped."

Common error

Avoid using "little service" when the action had a significant impact. Choose a phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the assistance provided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little service" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "little" modifies the noun "service". It describes an action or deed that is minor or insignificant in nature. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little service" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a minor or insignificant act of assistance. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is considered correct. It is frequently encountered in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be mindful of the context. Use it to downplay an action's significance and ensure that this aligns with your intent. If the impact is considerable, opting for an alternative that more accurately reflects the contribution is advisable. Alternatives such as "small act of assistance", "minor favor", or "slight aid" can be considered based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small act of assistance

Emphasizes the diminutive nature of the help provided.

minor favor

Highlights the light burden or insignificance of the request.

slight aid

Focuses on the minimal support or help given.

modest contribution

Stresses the limited impact or input provided.

limited assistance

Indicates the restriction or scarcity of help.

minimal support

Underlines the bare minimum level of help offered.

brief assistance

Highlights the short duration of help.

token gesture

Emphasizes that the act is symbolic rather than substantial.

small kindness

Highlights the benevolence of the act, more than its utility.

insignificant task

Focuses on the simplicity and ease of performing the service.

FAQs

What does "little service" mean?

The phrase "little service" refers to a small or minor act of assistance or help provided to someone. It implies the service is not substantial or significant.

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

You can use "little service" to describe something you did for someone that wasn't a big deal, like "I offered a "little service" by holding the door open for her."

What can I say instead of "little service"?

You can use alternatives like "small act of assistance", "minor favor", or "slight aid" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "little service" in a professional context?

Yes, but use it carefully. It's suitable when downplaying your contribution to maintain humility. Be mindful that in some cases, emphasizing the small nature of the service may undermine its perceived value, so in such cases use alternative expressions like "modest contribution".