little to recognize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little to recognize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that there is not much that can be acknowledged or identified in a particular context. Example: "After the changes were made, there was little to recognize from the original design."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There is little to recognize now.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet the tax code does too little to recognize parents' investments.

The New York Times

Remember, it's the voice that kept us safe when we were too little to recognize danger.

Huffington Post

Even if women were, on average, compensated equally with men at the office, that would do little to recognize the fact that women still do a disproportionate amount of the work in the home.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

After a civil war, the Chiang regime fell to the Communists in 1949, and Mao had little reason to recognize its contributions to the defeat of Japan.

The New York Times

Then again, it took little brilliance to recognize the longstanding "wall in the mind," which I described in my book "The Wall Jumper".

The New York Times

Sir Harold Alexander, Monty's superior as Middle East commander during El Alamein and then 18th Army Group commander in Tunisia, was viewed by the Americans as less condescending than Montgomery, but even he showed little willingness to recognize their virtues.

The New York Times - Books

He was a little hard to recognize in the baseball cap and shades and "Planet of the Apes" sweatshirt, but it was him all right -- the president of the United States.

The New York Times

"It wasn't that he pursued me for so long, it was that it took me a little longer to recognize his humor, intelligence and thoughtfulness," the bride said.

The New York Times - Style

"We just have to be a little careful to recognize that wood products are not the panacea," he says.

Science Magazine

Do you feel the administration or Washington in general is a little slow to recognize the seriousness, the gravity of this downturn, and to act?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little to recognize", ensure the context clearly indicates what is difficult to identify or acknowledge. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "little to recognize" when the issue is not about identification but about appreciation or understanding. Use it specifically when something has changed so much it's hard to know what it once was.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little to recognize" primarily functions as a qualifier, indicating a limited degree of identifiability or acknowledgement. Ludwig AI provides examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts, emphasizing changes or obscurities that hinder recognition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little to recognize" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey that something is barely identifiable due to significant alterations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although its frequency is uncommon. This phrase appears across various contexts, notably in News & Media and Scientific articles. For clarity, ensure the context highlights what’s difficult to identify, and remember that it's about recognition not necessarily about appreciation or understanding. Alternatives such as "hardly to recognize" or "difficult to identify", offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly to recognize

Emphasizes the difficulty in recognizing something due to significant changes or obscurity.

not easily recognized

Suggests that recognition requires effort or is not immediately apparent.

difficult to identify

Focuses on the challenge of identifying something specific.

scarcely identifiable

Highlights the rarity or infrequency with which something can be identified.

challenging to discern

Points out the difficulty of the act of discerning.

barely discernible

Indicates something is almost impossible to perceive or distinguish.

tough to make out

Implies visual difficulty in perceiving something clearly.

unlikely to acknowledge

Shifts the focus to a lack of acknowledgment rather than a lack of recognition.

tough to perceive

Indicates the struggle of perception.

minimal to perceive

Highlights that the possibility of perceiving the entity is at its minimum level.

FAQs

How can I use "little to recognize" in a sentence?

You can use "little to recognize" to describe situations where something has changed significantly or is difficult to identify. For example, "After years of neglect, there was "little to recognize" of the original building".

What are some alternatives to "little to recognize"?

Alternatives include "hardly to recognize", "difficult to identify", or "scarcely identifiable". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "little to recognize"?

"Little to recognize" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something has become unrecognizable due to change, damage, or obscurity. It's best used when the issue is about the ability to identify or acknowledge something familiar.

Is "little to recognize" formal or informal?

"Little to recognize" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the specific audience and purpose of your writing to ensure it aligns with the overall tone.