little work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of effort or tasks that need to be completed. Example: "I only have a little work left to finish before I can relax for the evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The economy needs little work.

The New York Times

In truth, parts needed a little work.

The New York Times - Arts

"Sometimes it takes a little work".

The New York Times

With a little work, or, for Apple users, more than a little work.

The New York Times - Tech

Tiger Woods's needs a little work.

The New York Times - Sports

Customers have to do a little work.

The New York Times - Tech

We've got a little work to do".

The New York Times - Sports

My short game needs a little work".

The New York Times

Others do as little work as possible.

The New York Times

The desserts could use a little work.

The New York Times - Food

Rodriguez spent years with little work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks or projects, use "little work" to convey that they require minimal effort or are not particularly demanding. For example, "This project requires only a little work to complete."

Common error

Avoid using "little work" when the task actually requires significant time or effort. This can mislead others and create unrealistic expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little work" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or preposition. It quantifies the amount of effort or tasks required. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig show its application in diverse sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a minimal amount of effort or tasks. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples show it appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for most situations, its presence is prominent in News & Media. When seeking alternatives, consider "minimal effort" or "small task". Remember to use "little work" accurately to avoid misleading others about the true effort required for a task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal effort

Emphasizes the small amount of effort required.

small task

Focuses on the size of the job or assignment.

light labor

Suggests the work is not physically demanding.

minor undertaking

Implies the project is not complex or significant.

easy job

Highlights the simplicity of the task.

negligible workload

Stresses the insignificance of the amount of work.

scant labor

Indicates a very small amount of work available or needed.

limited activity

Broadens the scope to include any form of activity, not just work.

bit of effort

Refers to the act of trying to achieve some results by working.

nominal task

Implies that the work required is ordinary and doesn't take too much.

FAQs

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

You can use "little work" to describe tasks or projects that require minimal effort. For instance, "The assignment involves "minimal effort"" or "There's very "small task" involved in repairing the computer".

What is a good substitute for "little work"?

Alternatives for "little work" include "minimal effort", "light labor", or "minor undertaking", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "less work" instead of "little work"?

While both are grammatically correct, they convey slightly different meanings. "Less work" implies a reduction in the amount of work compared to a previous state, whereas "little work" simply indicates a small amount of work is needed.

What's the difference between "a little work" and "little work"?

"A little work" suggests some work is required, but not much. "Little work" can sometimes imply that almost no work is needed, or that the amount of work is so small as to be almost negligible. The use depends on the specific context and the intended emphasis.