little water

USAGE SUMMARY

"little water" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a small or insignificant amount of water. Example: She added a little water to the soup to thin it out.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Little water.

The New York Times

There is little water.

The New York Times

He has little water.

The New York Times

These arguments hold little water.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then add a little water.

The New York Times - Travel

By 2013 little water remained.

The Guardian

"They have very little water.

The Guardian

He sips a little water.

The Guardian - Film

Purée, adding a little water if necessary.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is no medicine and little water.

The Economist

You drink scotch with a little water.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations where water is lacking, use "little water" to convey a sense of scarcity or insufficiency. For instance, "The refugees had very little water" effectively communicates their dire situation.

Common error

Avoid using "little water" excessively in formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise terms like "limited water supply" or "insufficient water resources" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little water" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun. It indicates a small quantity or amount of water. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used in various contexts to convey scarcity or insufficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little water" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a small quantity of water. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across diverse contexts, from news reports to cooking instructions. While highly versatile, remember to consider the formality of your writing and choose more precise terminology, such as "limited water supply", for technical or professional documents. When brevity and a general sense of scarcity are desired, "little water" remains an effective choice. Remember, while "little water" is correct, "few water" is not, as "water" is an uncountable noun.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small amount of water

Focuses on the quantity of water being small.

scarcity of water

Highlights the insufficient availability of water.

limited water supply

Emphasizes the restriction in the amount of water accessible.

meager water resources

Suggests the water resources are insufficient and poor.

inadequate water

Stresses that the water is not enough to meet the demand or need.

insufficient water

Highlights the lack of the needed amount of water.

trickle of water

Emphasizes the low flow rate and small amount.

dearth of water

Emphasizes a severe lack of water, implying a more critical situation.

water shortage

Directly points out the condition of lacking sufficient water.

paucity of water

Indicates a scarcity or insufficiency of water, often in a formal context.

FAQs

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

You can use "little water" to describe a situation where the amount of water is scarce or limited. For example: "The desert had very little water available".

What are some alternatives to saying "little water"?

You can use alternatives like "small amount of water", "limited water supply", or "water shortage" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "little water"?

Yes, "little water" is grammatically correct. "Little" is used as a determiner to indicate a small quantity of an uncountable noun, such as water.

What's the difference between "little water" and "few water"?

"Little" is used with uncountable nouns like water, while "few" is used with countable nouns. Therefore, "little water" is correct, and "few water" is grammatically incorrect.