precious little else

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precious little else" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is very little of anything else besides what has been mentioned, often implying that the amount is insignificant. Example: "After the budget cuts, we have precious little else to work with in this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the Knicks can say that about precious little else.

The New York Times - Sports

As a manager, history may judge him as a great acquirer, but precious little else.

The Economist

While it gets an A for energy and enthusiasm, it gets precious little else.

The Guardian - Film

But there is precious little else, bar the collections of major museums.

The Guardian - Arts

To the white public, "we are athletes, rappers, preachers, singers -- and precious little else".

The New York Times - Books

After all, as his bibliography reveals, he had precious little else to go on.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Certainly the likes of Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard are not slow but, with Ashley Cole also missing, there is precious little pace anywhere else in the side.

Independent

Investigating just one multinational company can take 10-30 staff up to 22 months, leaving precious little resources for anything else.

The Guardian - Opinion

Between the demands of work and home, we have precious little time for anything else.

Huffington Post

Dreams are particularly precious for those with so little else.

The New York Times

They travel within a whisker of the speed of light, have no electric charge, practically no mass and precious little will to interact with anything else.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precious little else" to concisely convey a significant lack of something beyond what has been specified. It adds emphasis to the scarcity.

Common error

Avoid using "precious little else" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "hardly anything else" or "scarcely anything else" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precious little else" primarily functions as a determiner phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a small quantity or degree of something in addition to what has already been mentioned. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "precious little else" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a scarcity or insufficiency beyond what has been mentioned. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase serves to emphasize the lack of something, making it a valuable tool for concise and impactful writing. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously, opting for synonyms like "hardly anything else" or "scarcely anything else" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly anything else

Emphasizes the minimal amount beyond the specified item.

scarcely anything else

Highlights the rarity of anything additional.

almost nothing else

Indicates a near absence of anything more.

virtually nothing else

Stresses the insignificance of anything beyond what's stated.

barely anything else

Suggests the limited nature of anything additional.

little besides that

Focuses on the limited additions beyond the mentioned item.

not much more

Highlights the lack of substantial additions.

next to nothing else

Emphasizes the extreme scarcity of anything additional.

almost nothing further

Indicates a near absence of further additions.

practically nothing more

Stresses the near absence of significant additions.

FAQs

How can I use "precious little else" in a sentence?

You can use "precious little else" to indicate that there is very little of anything else besides what has been mentioned. For example: "After the renovations, there was "precious little else" to remind them of the original house."

What phrases are similar to "precious little else"?

Similar phrases include "hardly anything else", "scarcely anything else", or "almost nothing else". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "precious little else" formal or informal?

"Precious little else" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is suitable for news articles, books, and everyday conversation.

Can "precious little else" be used to describe both tangible and intangible things?

Yes, "precious little else" can describe both tangible items and intangible concepts. For example, "Besides his talent, he had "precious little else" to offer" or "Apart from the books, there was "precious little else" in the room".