little weight

USAGE SUMMARY

"little weight" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
The phrase is used to indicate a small or insignificant amount or value. For example, "I gave the argument very little weight when making my decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He lost a little weight.

The New York Times - Arts

Much battery life, little weight.

The New York Times

"I lost a little weight.

The New York Times

In any case, they carry little weight.

The Economist

Looking to lose a little weight?

The New York Times - Health

That argument has little weight with conservationists.

The New York Times

Class distinctions have little weight here.

The New York Times

Dick Cheney should lose a little weight.

The New York Times

That argument carried little weight at Wikipedia.

The New York Times

However, I can afford little weight to this.

Harvard University

This would carry little weight with most prisoners.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little weight" when you want to downplay the importance or influence of something, whether it's an argument, evidence, or factor. For example: "His testimony carried little weight with the jury."

Common error

Avoid using "little weight" when you simply mean something is physically light. "Lightweight" is more appropriate in that context, whereas "little weight" implies a lack of importance or influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little weight" functions primarily as a modifier, indicating that something lacks significance or importance. It often appears in contexts where arguments, evidence, or factors are being evaluated. This usage aligns with examples found in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little weight" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a lack of importance, influence, or significance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is "correct and usable in written English". It frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts, emphasizing its versatility. When using "little weight", it's crucial to distinguish it from "lightweight", which refers to physical weight rather than abstract significance. Remember to use "little weight" when you want to downplay the importance of something, and consider related phrases like "minimal importance" or "negligible impact" for variety. The analysis shows that understanding the subtleties of such phrases can significantly enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carries no weight

Uses the verb "carry" to express the lack of influence or importance.

minimal importance

Emphasizes the lack of significance rather than physical weight.

slight importance

Highlights the small degree of relevance.

holds little sway

Uses the word "sway" to indicate a lack of persuasive power.

negligible impact

Focuses on the lack of effect or influence.

insignificant value

Shifts the emphasis to the lack of worth or merit.

lacks significance

Directly states the absence of significance.

minor consideration

Indicates that something is not a major factor.

limited influence

Focuses on the restricted power to affect something.

not very important

A more direct and simplified way of expressing the same idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "little weight" to express that something is not important or influential. For example, "The evidence presented carried "little weight" in the judge's decision".

What are some alternatives to "little weight"?

Alternatives to "little weight" include "minimal importance", "negligible impact", or "carries no weight". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When should I use "little weight" versus "lightweight"?

"Little weight" refers to the importance or influence of something, while "lightweight" describes the physical heaviness of an object. For instance, "His argument carried "little weight"", but "The suitcase was surprisingly lightweight".

Is it appropriate to use "little weight" in formal writing?

Yes, "little weight" is appropriate in formal writing when you want to express that something lacks significance or influence. Its meaning is clear and widely understood.