make little difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make little difference" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or action that has very little effect or impact. For example: "The changes made to the policy will make little difference in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

But watchfulness may make little difference.

The Economist

These variables appeared to make little difference.

The New Yorker

Alas, this seemed to make little difference.

The Economist

Naming them would make little difference.

The Economist

It is likely to make little difference.

The Guardian

"Bullying will make little difference," the newspaper wrote.

The New York Times

The troop numbers themselves will probably make little difference operationally.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

More canals make little difference.

Landscape and Urban Planning

It will make little difference if Mr Rumsfeld goes.

The Economist

It would make little difference because they would use terrorism.

Huffington Post

Allowing therapeutic cloning would make little difference to that.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make little difference", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject's lack of impact pertains to. Providing specific details enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "make little difference" when the impact is actually significant or noticeable. Use stronger phrases like "completely ineffective" or "utterly useless" if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make little difference" functions primarily as a predicate in sentences, indicating that a particular action, change, or factor has a minimal or negligible effect. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make little difference" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something has a minimal impact or effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business writing. While alternatives like "have minimal impact" or "be of little consequence" exist, "make little difference" provides a clear and straightforward way to downplay the significance of an action or change. Ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity, and be mindful not to understate the impact when a stronger expression is warranted. Remember that the phrasing should match the number of subject, singular or plural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have minimal impact

Focuses on the extent of influence or effect, suggesting it's almost negligible.

be of little consequence

Highlights the lack of importance or significance of something.

not matter much

Indicates that something does not have a substantial effect or influence.

have a negligible effect

Emphasizes the insignificance of the impact, often used in scientific contexts.

scarcely affect

Underscores that the influence is minimal or barely perceptible.

hardly change anything

Highlights that the change will be close to invisible.

not make a dent

Emphasizes the failure to make any significant progress or impact.

be all the same

Implies that there is no difference at all.

amount to nothing

Implies a complete lack of result or success.

prove futile

Suggests the attempt will be pointless or ineffective.

FAQs

How can I use "make little difference" in a sentence?

The phrase "make little difference" is used to describe situations where an action or change has a minimal impact. For example, "The new regulations will "make little difference" to the company's overall profits."

What are some alternatives to saying "make little difference"?

Some alternatives to "make little difference" include phrases like "have minimal impact", "be of little consequence", or "not matter much", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "makes little difference" instead of "make little difference"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "makes little difference" with singular subjects (e.g., "This change makes little difference"). Use "make little difference" with plural subjects (e.g., "These changes make little difference").

What's the difference between "make little difference" and "make no difference"?

"Make little difference" implies a minimal impact, while "make no difference" suggests there is absolutely no effect or change whatsoever. The former is a lesser degree of impact than the latter.