too little

USAGE SUMMARY

"too little" is a grammatically correct form of words that can be used in written English.
For example: "The finances they allocated to the project were too little to complete it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Too little?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Too little? A. Too little!

The New York Times

Nothing's too little.

Cornell University

It's too little.

The New Yorker

Too little exercise?

The New York Times - Health

Is this too little?

The New York Times

Too little practice.

The New York Times - Magazine

("Too little," Bazin said).

The New York Times - Sports

Too little, too late.

The New York Times - Sports

AMERICANS save too little.

The Economist

Not saying too little.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too little", ensure the context clearly indicates what is insufficient. For example, specify "too little time" or "too little funding" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "too little" without a clear reference. Ensure the reader understands what the deficiency refers to. For example, instead of saying "There was too little", specify "There was too little information available."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too little" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating that a quantity or degree is insufficient or inadequate. As shown by Ludwig, it is often used to describe resources, time, or effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too little" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that serves to express the insufficiency of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile, appearing in news, academic papers, and everyday conversations. To ensure clarity, always specify what is lacking when using this phrase. While simple, its correct usage can significantly enhance the precision and impact of your writing. Remember to consider alternatives like "not enough" or "insufficient" depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not enough

A more direct and simple way of expressing insufficiency.

hardly any

Indicates a very small or almost nonexistent quantity.

insufficient amount

Focuses on the inadequacy of the quantity.

minimal amount

Emphasizes the extremely small quantity.

inadequate quantity

Highlights the lack of sufficient quantity.

deficient quantity

Highlights the lack of an adequate or required amount.

scarce supply

Emphasizes the limited availability or shortage.

paltry sum

Implies a small and insignificant quantity, often referring to money.

limited extent

Highlights the restricted scope or degree.

meager portion

Suggests a small and unsatisfactory amount, particularly related to food or resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "too little" to indicate that something is insufficient or inadequate. For instance, "There was "too little evidence" to support the claim", or "He had "too little time" to complete the project".

What phrases can I use instead of "too little"?

Alternatives to "too little" include "not enough", "insufficient", or "inadequate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "too little" or should I use another phrase?

"Too little" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English. However, depending on the context, alternatives like "insufficient amount" or "not sufficient" may be more formal or precise.

What is the difference between "too little" and "very little"?

"Too little" implies that the quantity is insufficient for a particular purpose or need. "Very little" simply indicates a small quantity without necessarily implying inadequacy. For example, "There is "very little water" left" just states the amount, while "There is "too little water" to fill the pool" implies it's not enough.