little speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little speaking" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a small amount of speech or conversation, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "After a little speaking, they decided to move on to the main topic of discussion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Formerly a candidate, unless possessed of popular gifts, did but little speaking," Lord Bryce observed in "The American Commonwealth," published in 1888.

The New York Times - Books

That may be hard, not least because the Freedom Party plans not to join any parliamentary group, leaving it little speaking time and few staff.

The Economist

They feature little speaking, and include a six-second graphic at the end so Monster can promote the site and its features in a particular language.

The New York Times

Ms. Spellings said she did not know exactly what she would do next — "a little speaking and consulting, and maybe some board service," she mused — and that is not uncommon.

The New York Times

His dissent took more modest forms — he marched, did a little speaking, and, inspired by Allard Lowenstein, threw himself into registering young voters — and he took his time about going into politics.

The New Yorker

Through this reporter, O'Connor shows how little speaking of such things can matter; Dixon's talk participates in the same self-regard as Merridith's, serving to shut out the rest of the world, especially those who might have some claim on their (and our) sympathy.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The nurses are another dimension, little spoken of.

The Guardian

The program, which is divided into 12 chapters, involves very little spoken text.

The Guardian

To be published in America by HarperCollins in June 2006THIS is the life of someone who wrote little, spoke little, and about whom there are few memoirs.

The Economist

Little spoke to BBC Breakfast about how thrilled she was to be invited to play with the popular dog.

BBC

After the verdicts on Tuesday, Little spoke only when L.A. County Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli asked whether he agreed with a Sept. 25 sentencing date.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "little speaking", opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "minimal speaking" or "limited speaking" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "little speaking" when you intend to convey minimal verbal communication. Using phrases like "brief conversation" or "small talk" can provide more accurate and grammatically correct descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little speaking" functions primarily as a descriptor of the quantity or frequency of speech. While Ludwig AI flags it as not correct, its presence in various contexts indicates an attempt to convey minimal verbal communication or discourse.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "little speaking" appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, it is considered grammatically incorrect according to standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. More precise and grammatically correct alternatives, such as "minimal speaking" or "brief conversation", are recommended to convey the intended meaning of minimal or infrequent speech. It's essential to prioritize grammatical accuracy for effective communication, especially in formal contexts. Using alternatives like limited speech or minimal discourse can provide greater clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited speech

Focuses on the restriction or scarcity of spoken words.

minimal discourse

Emphasizes the lack of conversation or exchange of ideas.

infrequent dialogue

Highlights the rare occurrence of conversational exchanges.

scant conversation

Indicates that the amount of conversation is very small or insufficient.

brief remarks

Refers to short or concise spoken statements.

reduced verbal communication

Highlights a decrease in the amount of talking or speaking.

sparse commentary

Suggests that there is not much commentary or explanation being offered.

rare utterances

Emphasizes the infrequency of spoken words or sounds.

subdued articulation

Describes a quiet or restrained manner of speaking.

taciturn expression

Implies a tendency to be silent or reserved in speech.

FAQs

Is "little speaking" grammatically correct?

No, "little speaking" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use alternatives like "minimal speaking" or "brief conversation".

What are some alternatives to "little speaking"?

You can use alternatives such as "limited speech", "minimal discourse", or "brief remarks" depending on the context.

How can I use the concept of "little speaking" correctly in a sentence?

Instead of saying "There was little speaking during the meeting", try "There was minimal speaking during the meeting" or "The meeting involved only brief remarks".

What's the difference between "little speaking" and "speaking little"?

"Speaking little" is a more acceptable and grammatically sound phrase. For example, "He was speaking little English" is correct, whereas "He had little speaking" is not.