little sore

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little sore" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mild level of discomfort or pain, often after physical activity or injury. Example: "After the workout yesterday, I woke up feeling a little sore in my muscles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's a little sore.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm a little sore today, though.

The New Yorker

"It's just a little sore".

The New York Times - Sports

But today, he's a little sore.

The New York Times

I think he's a probably little sore.

The New York Times - Sports

Today was just a little sore".

The New York Times - Sports

I awoke feeling a little sore.

The Guardian - Travel

"I was a little sore," Maduka said.

The New York Times - Sports

"My shoulders are a little sore; my arms are a little sore".

The New York Times

"I'll bet Neil's a little sore, aren't you?" he said.

The New Yorker

"I'm sure I'll be a little sore tomorrow.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical discomfort, use "little sore" to convey mild pain or tenderness. This phrase is appropriate for everyday conversation and informal writing.

Common error

While "little sore" is perfectly acceptable in informal settings, avoid it in formal or professional writing where more precise or technical language might be preferred. Consider using terms like "mild discomfort" or "slight tenderness" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little sore" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a body part or general state of being. It indicates a mild degree of discomfort or pain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little sore" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe mild physical discomfort. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and prevalence, particularly in News & Media sources. While appropriate for everyday conversation and informal writing, more formal contexts may benefit from using alternative phrases like "mild discomfort" or "slight tenderness". When using the phrase, remember it serves to downplay the pain and indicate it's not severe. Avoiding overuse in highly formal context helps maintaining the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tad sore

Substitutes 'little' with 'a tad', both signifying a small amount, while retaining 'sore'.

slightly tender

Replaces 'sore' with 'tender' and 'little' with 'slightly', both indicating mild discomfort.

a bit achy

Substitutes 'sore' with 'achy' and 'little' with 'a bit', both suggesting a dull pain.

somewhat painful

Replaces 'sore' with 'painful' and 'little' with 'somewhat', emphasizing the presence of pain to a limited degree.

mildly uncomfortable

Replaces 'sore' with 'uncomfortable' and 'little' with 'mildly', indicating a low level of discomfort.

a touch sensitive

Uses 'sensitive' instead of 'sore', suggesting increased sensitivity to touch, and 'a touch' in place of 'little'.

just a bit sensitive

Replaces 'sore' with 'sensitive' and 'little' with 'just a bit', indicating a minor sensitivity.

slightly inflamed

Replaces 'sore' with 'inflamed' and 'little' with 'slightly', describing a mild inflammatory response.

a shade tender

Replaces 'little' with 'a shade' and 'sore' with 'tender' denoting minimal discomfort.

barely aching

Uses 'aching' instead of 'sore' and 'barely' in place of 'little' indicating minimal aching sensation.

FAQs

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

You can use "little sore" to describe a mild ache or tenderness after physical activity, for example: "After the hike, my legs were a "little sore"".

What's a synonym for "little sore"?

Alternatives to "little sore" include "slightly tender", "a bit achy", or "mildly uncomfortable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "little sore"?

"Little sore" is appropriate in informal contexts like casual conversations or personal writing. In more formal or professional settings, consider using more precise language.

Is "little sore" grammatically correct?

Yes, "little sore" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe a mild level of discomfort or pain.