with little time to spare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with little time to spare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is not much time left to complete a task or activity. Example: "I arrived at the airport with little time to spare before my flight was scheduled to depart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Those of you with little time to spare might wish to go straight to the race itself at 1 45.

The Guardian - Sport

I was flying into London, where I had to make a connecting flight with little time to spare.

The New York Times

Finally, with little time to spare if I was to make my plane, we ran for home.

The New York Times - Sports

With little time to spare, he hopped on a westbound plane, showing up unannounced and flanked by a well-dressed entourage that included Sul Ross's president, Ricardo Maestas.

The New York Times

People with little time to spare do not want to waste 20 minutes talking about who will bring the biscuits to the next meeting".

The Guardian

Then, with little time to spare, he ran toward a bank of windows at the rear of the studio and began a gradual advance, stepping into a progression of double turns in the air.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

They made the flight with very little time to spare.

The Guardian

Never have so few performers changed into so many costumes with so little time to spare.

The New York Times

With a little time to spare, I took a walk downtown, and saw a woman in her fifties watering the flowers outside Tula's own White House — the local government building.

The New Yorker

And that, perhaps surprisingly, turns out to be easier than it sounds.Jobs for the boysBeing a non-executive director as opposed to a board member who is also part of the company's management used to be a lovely job for distinguished folk with a little time to spare.

The Economist

In this case, Mr. Horner and his musicians are working with a little time to spare; "Grinch" is not due in theaters until Nov. 17, vying with films like "102 Dalmatians," "Rugrats in Paris" and the new Adam Sandler comedy, "Little Nicky," for the lucrative Thanksgiving market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "with little time to spare", ensure that the context clearly indicates what task or activity is being affected by the limited time. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "with little time to spare" when there is actually ample time. This can diminish the impact and credibility of your statement. Reserve it for situations where the time constraint is genuinely tight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with little time to spare" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the circumstances surrounding the action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, showcasing its role in setting temporal context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with little time to spare" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a sense of urgency or limited time available for a task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and appears frequently in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the affected task and avoid using it when there is actually ample time to maintain credibility. Alternatives include "with limited time remaining" and "pressed for time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with limited time remaining

Focuses on the remaining time rather than the act of sparing it.

with barely enough time

Highlights the scarcity of time, emphasizing how close it is to being insufficient.

running out of time

Emphasizes the progressive exhaustion of available time.

pressed for time

Indicates being under pressure due to time constraints.

short on time

A more direct way of saying there is not much time available.

time is of the essence

Emphasizes the critical importance of time in a particular situation.

against the clock

Implies a race or struggle to complete something before time runs out.

in a time crunch

Suggests being in a difficult situation due to lack of time.

with no time to lose

Highlights the urgency and necessity of immediate action.

in the nick of time

Indicates that something happened just before it was too late.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "with little time to spare"?

You can use alternatives like "with limited time remaining", "pressed for time", or "short on time depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "with little time to spare"?

Yes, the phrase "with little time to spare" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It is used to indicate that there is not much time available to complete a task or activity.

What does "with little time to spare" mean?

The phrase "with little time to spare" means that there is barely enough time to do something. It suggests a sense of urgency or that the task needs to be completed quickly.

When should I use "with little time to spare" in my writing?

Use "with little time to spare" when you want to emphasize the lack of time available to complete a task. It's suitable when the time constraint is a significant factor influencing the situation or action.