very little

USAGE SUMMARY

"very little" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that there is not much of, either in quantity or degree. For example, "He had very little money left to spend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very little".

The New York Times - Health

Very little surprised her.

The New Yorker

Very little more, though.

Independent

Very little, Bradley ventures.

The New Yorker

He did very little.

The New York Times

Medium term: very little.

The New York Times

There's very little fat.

The New Yorker

Possibly very little.

The New York Times

Offered very little.

Independent

Stoke created very little.

Independent

He slept very little.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very little" to express a small quantity or degree, opting for stronger synonyms like "negligible" or "scant" for increased emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "very little" excessively in formal or academic writing. More precise terms like "minimal", "insufficient", or "limited" often provide a clearer and more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

Very little" functions as a degree modifier, indicating a small quantity or low degree of something. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing its use in various contexts to express minimal presence or significance, for example: "Very little surprised her."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Very little" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a small amount or degree of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, predominantly in News & Media. While versatile, more precise alternatives may be preferred in formal writing. When using "very little", ensure it accurately reflects the intended degree of scarcity, and consider stronger synonyms for emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly any

Emphasizes the near absence of something, suggesting an even smaller quantity than "very little".

almost none

Highlights the lack of something, indicating a quantity that is practically zero.

a tiny amount

Focuses on the extremely small quantity of something, emphasizing its insignificance.

scarcely anything

Suggests that almost nothing exists or occurs, stressing the rarity or infrequency.

a negligible quantity

Emphasizes that the amount is so small that it can be disregarded or ignored.

virtually nothing

Indicates that something is so close to non-existent that it's practically the same as nothing.

minuscule portion

Highlights that the portion is small, to the point of being considered insignificant.

barely sufficient

Describes a quantity that is only just enough, implying a lack of abundance or excess.

inadequate measure

Highlights that the quantity or extent is not enough to meet the required needs or expectations.

an infinitesimal bit

Emphasizes the extremely small or immeasurable nature of the quantity.

FAQs

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

"Very little" can be used to describe the quantity or degree of something. For example, "There is very little time left" or "He showed very little interest".

What are some alternatives to saying "very little"?

Alternatives to "very little" include "hardly any", "almost none", or "a tiny amount", depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "very little" may sometimes lack the impact or precision of stronger synonyms. Consider using more specific terms if greater emphasis is needed.

What's the difference between "very little" and "not much"?

"Very little" tends to be slightly more formal than "not much", though they are often interchangeable. "Very little" can emphasize the scarcity or insignificance more strongly.