somewhat little

USAGE SUMMARY

No, "somewhat little" is not a correct phrase in written English.
However, "somewhat less" is a correct phrase. You can use it whenever you are referring to a decreased amount. For example: The crowd was somewhat less than expected.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although supplementation with PCP depressed forage consumption somewhat, little effect on forage digestion was observed.

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Global perceived effect was assessed using a 7-point Global Perceived Effect Scale [ 32], for the question 'How is your neck pain or arm pain now compared with when you started attending the Spine Centre?'muchuch better, somewhat better, little better, unchanged, little worse, somewhat worse, much worse').

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Through his five seasons on the show he was nearly always the eager, ingratiating, somewhat obnoxious little brother the other cast members tolerated even as he drove them a little crazy.

The New York Times

People do seem to be somewhat wilting little flowers these days".

Independent

An old and dirty, but somewhat charming little street, Washington Pl. is clean and festive on this day.

The New Yorker

The somewhat similar little purple sail, or sailer-Velella, is much smaller in size, & once it is left on the beach it dries quickly.

The New Yorker

There are five heroines in Richard Caliban's "MoM: A Rock Concert Musical," a somewhat inspired little fantasy that takes all too predictable turns telling its story.

The New York Times

($25 and Under: 12/30/98) This crowded, smoky, somewhat disheveled little French place serves old-fashioned homey meals, and for the most part the cooking is well executed.

The New York Times

— Ralph Miranda was looking for eggnog here the other day at the state liquor store, a dated and somewhat forlorn little shop with no name, just the Soviet-style designation #5801.

The New York Times

And, perhaps especially, who rings the next morning in a tizz in case her comments about how people "do seem to be somewhat wilting little flowers these days" had somehow sounded like she'd sanctioned paedophilia.

Independent

As Rick described to me how his laser could vaporise metals, I started to wonder if he would consider a somewhat mundane little problem that had been on my mind for a few years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "somewhat little" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "somewhat less" or "slightly small" to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

A common mistake is using "somewhat little" when you intend to convey a small degree of something rather than a small quantity. For example, instead of saying "The impact was somewhat little", use "The impact was "somewhat limited"" or "The impact was "slightly reduced"" to better reflect the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat little" functions as an adverbial modifier attempting to quantify something to a small degree. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically incorrect. A phrase like "somewhat less" would be preferable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat little" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, "somewhat less" is a correct and more appropriate alternative. While the phrase attempts to convey a small or reduced quantity, its non-standard nature can lead to confusion. For clarity and correctness, it's best to opt for alternatives like "a little", "slightly small", or "somewhat reduced" depending on the intended nuance and context. Always prioritize grammatically sound expressions in formal and professional writing to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat less

Replaces "little" with "less" to correct the grammatical structure and indicate a reduced amount.

slightly less

Combines "slightly" and "less" for a grammatically sound alternative indicating a minor reduction.

slightly small

Replaces "somewhat" with "slightly" and "little" with "small" to denote a minor degree.

marginally smaller

Uses "marginally" and "smaller" to indicate a slight difference in size.

relatively small

Substitutes "somewhat" with "relatively" implying a comparison to something else.

somewhat reduced

Replaces "little" with "reduced" to describe a decrease in quantity or intensity.

a touch less

Employs "a touch" to soften the statement, making it more casual.

a bit small

Uses "a bit" instead of "somewhat" for a more informal tone, while keeping "small".

scarcely any

Similar to "barely any", highlighting the minimal quantity or impact.

barely any

Indicates a very small amount or degree, emphasizing the scarcity.

FAQs

Is "somewhat little" grammatically correct?

No, "somewhat little" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "somewhat less" or "a little" instead.

What does "somewhat little" mean?

While not grammatically sound, "somewhat little" is likely intended to convey a quantity that is both small and not particularly significant. Consider using more precise alternatives to accurately communicate your intended meaning.

Which is correct, "somewhat little" or "a little"?

"A little" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Somewhat little" is not standard English and should be avoided in formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "somewhat little"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "slightly small", "a bit small", or "somewhat less" to convey a similar idea in a grammatically correct manner.