so little

USAGE SUMMARY

'so little' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
For example, you can use it to refer to a small amount or time: "I have so little time to finish my project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

So little looked pristine.

Independent

So little time".

The New York Times

He weighed so little.

The New Yorker

"He's so little.

The New York Times - Science

Why so little?

The New York Times

She said, "So little time.

The New Yorker

There is so little around.

The New Yorker

There was so little time.

The New York Times

And now so little hope.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

So, "little-known"?

The Guardian

The not-so-little Ireland.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "so little" to express a deficiency or lack, making sure the context clearly indicates what is insufficient. For instance, "There is "so little" time to complete the project" emphasizes the time constraint.

Common error

Avoid using "so little" when you need to quantify an amount with precision. "So little" is best for expressing a general lack or deficiency, not for stating exact figures. For example, don't say "He ate "so little", exactly 50 grams" because the precision contradicts the general sense of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so little" functions primarily as a degree modifier, intensifying the adjective or noun it precedes. This emphasizes the insufficiency or smallness of the modified element. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"So little" is a versatile phrase used to express a small quantity or degree, often implying insufficiency. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, it serves as a degree modifier, emphasizing a perceived lack. When using "so little", be mindful of its scope, avoiding its use when precise quantification is needed. Consider alternatives like "not much" or "hardly any" for nuanced expression. Remember, while "so little" denotes a small amount, "too little" indicates inadequacy for a specific purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not much

A more informal way of expressing a small quantity.

such a small amount

Emphasizes the quantity or size being small.

a small quantity

Directly states that the amount is limited.

hardly any

Emphasizes the scarcity or near absence of something.

relatively small

Indicates something is small in comparison to something else.

a negligible amount

Highlights that the amount is so small it can be disregarded.

so insignificant

Focuses on the lack of importance or impact.

such a trifle

Implies the matter is minor and not worth worrying about.

a modicum of

Suggests a very small or limited amount, often implying it's barely sufficient.

a paucity of

Highlights the lack or deficiency of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "so little" to indicate a small amount of something, such as "There is "so little" evidence to support this claim" or "I have "so little time" to finish this task".

What are some alternatives to saying "so little"?

Alternatives include "not much", "hardly any", or "a small amount". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "so little"?

While grammatically correct, using "so little" might be inappropriate if a more precise quantifier is needed. For instance, stating "so little" money was donated might be less informative than saying "only $10 was donated".

What's the difference between "so little" and "too little"?

"So little" simply indicates a small quantity, while "too little" implies that the quantity is insufficient for a particular purpose. For example, "There was "so little" rain this month" just states a fact, whereas "There was "too little rain" for the crops to grow" indicates a problem.