little under

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little under" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a quantity or measurement that is slightly less than a specified amount. Example: "The project is expected to take a little under three weeks to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Avon is a little under the radar.

The New York Times

had a little under 4.9 million.

The New York Times

The man revealed little under interrogation.

The Guardian

Perhaps a little under 20 – or younger still.

Independent

"Stanley" finished the course in a little under seven hours.

The Economist

Some of them pale a little under a strong light.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Fond of a little under-statement is Mr Sheens.

Independent

"So just a little under-arm, over the net.

The New York Times

Sweetly informal, if a little under-spiced, it was an auspicious start to an improbable liaison.

Independent

Plus, I'd had a busy week and felt a little under-rehearsed.

Huffington Post

They're crucial to your practice but also a little under-appreciated.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little under", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for comparison. For instance, instead of saying "the cost was little under", specify "the cost was a little under $100".

Common error

Avoid using "little under" without a clear point of reference. For instance, saying "the time was little under" is vague; instead, specify "the time was a little under an hour".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little under" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, indicating that a quantity or amount is slightly less than a specific value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English, providing a nuanced way to express approximation. Examples show it preceding numerical values to denote this slight reduction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little under" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote that a quantity is slightly less than a given value. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, it’s widely accepted in news and general writing. To enhance clarity, always provide a specific reference point when using this phrase. While "little under" is fine in many contexts, in some cases using alternatives such as "slightly below" or "just below" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly below

Indicates a position just below a certain level, emphasizing the closeness to that level.

just below

Implies a small margin separating the actual value from the stated one.

a bit less than

Uses more words to express the same idea but keeps the level of informality.

fractionally lower than

More formal way to convey a similar meaning, suitable for professional contexts.

marginally less than

Highlights that the difference is small or insignificant.

somewhat less than

Indicates a degree of difference that is not particularly emphasized.

scarcely below

Conveys how narrowly something misses a particular threshold.

in the vicinity of

Suggests an approximate value, without specifically stating that it's lower.

close to but not quite

Verbose but highlights the proximity to a certain amount without reaching it.

not quite reaching

Emphasizes the idea of being close to a goal but not fully achieving it.

FAQs

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

You can use "little under" to indicate that a value or measurement is slightly less than a specified amount. For example, "The project took a "little under" three weeks to complete".

What's the difference between "little under" and "slightly less than"?

"Little under" is a more informal way of saying "slightly less than". Both phrases indicate that a value is a bit smaller than a given amount, but "slightly less than" might be preferred in more formal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "little under"?

You can use alternatives like "just below", "slightly below", or "a bit less than" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a little under" or "little under"?

Both "a little under" and "little under" are acceptable. The inclusion of "a" doesn't significantly change the meaning. For example, "the price was a "little under" $20" and "the price was "little under" $20" are both correct.