little
little — noun
1. used in the phrase 'a little' to mean a small but noticeable quantity of somethi
used in the phrase 'a little' to mean a small but noticeable quantity of something, especially when that amount is enough for a particular need or purpose.
The chef added a little of the special sauce to each plate before serving.
pattern: a little of + noun phrase
After the long walk, the hikers stopped to eat a little and rest their legs.
pattern: have/eat + a little
The landlord offered a little of the fresh fruit from his garden to the tenant.
The toddler ate only a little of the vegetables on the plate.
The nurse said the patient had eaten a little, a good sign for recovery.
文法句型
a little of + noun phrase
have/eat/drink + a little
用法筆記
Always used with the indefinite article 'a'. Without 'a', the determiner form 'little' means 'almost none' (contrast: 'I ate a little' = some, 'I ate little' = almost nothing).
常見錯誤
2. used in the phrase 'a little' to describe a short period of time or a small dist
used in the phrase 'a little' to describe a short period of time or a small distance between two points.
The children played outside for a little before dinner was ready.
pattern: for a little (time duration)
The traditional market is a little further down the main street.
pattern: a little + comparative (distance)
The tired father sat down on the bench to rest for a little after work.
The bus stop is a little past the library on the left side.
文法句型
verb + a little (wait, rest, walk)
a little + comparative (further, longer, past)
用法筆記
Requires the article 'a' in this sense as well. 'Wait a little' means wait briefly; 'wait little' (without 'a') is not idiomatic in modern English.
常見錯誤
3. a young child, especially when referred to in a warm or caring way using the phr
a young child, especially when referred to in a warm or caring way using the phrase 'little one' or 'little ones'.
The kindergarten teacher read a story to the little ones every afternoon after lunch.
plural: the little ones as a group
The nanny took the little ones to the park to play on the swings.
The parents brought their little one to the doctor for a check-up.
The grandmother promised to bake cookies for the little ones this weekend.
- adult
a person who is fully grown
文法句型
the little one(s)
possessive + little one(s)
用法筆記
Often used by caregivers, teachers, and family members. 'Little ones' (plural) is more common than 'little one' (singular). More affectionate and less formal than 'children'.
常見錯誤
little — adjective
- littlepositive
- littlercomparative
- littlestsuperlative
1. below the average in physical dimensions, amount, or count; not reaching what is
below the average in physical dimensions, amount, or count; not reaching what is typical or expected.
The tailor sewed a little pocket inside the jacket for the watch.
little + concrete noun (small object)
Only a little rain fell last night, so the ground is still dry.
little + uncountable noun (small amount)
The new apartment has a little balcony where the tenant keeps potted plants.
My grandmother lives in a little house at the end of a quiet lane.
The cashier placed the ring in a little velvet box before handing it over.
文法句型
little + noun
be + little
用法筆記
Predicative use ('The house is little.') is less common than attributive use ('a little house'). For objective measurement, 'small' is preferred over 'little'.
常見錯誤
2. used for a serving of something to eat or drink that comes in a smaller quantity
used for a serving of something to eat or drink that comes in a smaller quantity than a typical portion.
The restaurant serves a little salad on the side at no extra charge.
little + food noun (portion size)
Would you like a little cake with your afternoon tea today?
The café gives each customer a little bowl of nuts with their drink order.
After the meal, the host brought out a little glass of juice for everyone at the table.
- large
opposite for portion size—'a large salad' vs 'a little salad'
文法句型
little + food/drink noun
用法筆記
Nearly always appears before a noun referring to food or drink. 'A little something to eat' is a fixed phrase meaning a small snack.
3. given as a friendly gesture, costing very little and intended mainly as a though
given as a friendly gesture, costing very little and intended mainly as a thoughtful token rather than something of high monetary worth.
The children brought their teacher a little gift on the final day of school.
little gift — fixed collocation for modest present
Manuela picked up a little souvenir from the market for her new neighbour.
It was just a little something for his birthday — a box of handmade chocolates.
The family next door brought over a little plant as a welcome gift.
- small
interchangeable here but 'little' sounds warmer and more affectionate
文法句型
little + gift/present/souvenir/something
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the set phrase 'a little something' to refer to an informal gift. Avoid using 'little present' in formal contexts where the monetary value needs to be stated.
4. young in age, especially used to describe children or baby animals.
young in age, especially used to describe children or baby animals.
The little boy held his mother's hand tightly at the busy train station.
little + child noun
A little puppy followed the children all the way to the park gate.
little + baby animal noun
The little ones played in the sand while their parents sat on the bench nearby.
When I was little, I believed that fairies lived at the bottom of the garden.
The little girl carefully drew a picture of her cat for her grandmother.
- old
opposite in age—'old' vs 'little' for age comparison
文法句型
little + child/baby/animal noun
be + little (age)
用法筆記
When used predicatively ('I was little'), it always refers to childhood, not animal age. 'Little' in this sense carries a softer, more affectionate tone than 'young'.
常見錯誤
5. used after another adjective to add a personal feeling of fondness, disapproval,
used after another adjective to add a personal feeling of fondness, disapproval, or sympathy toward the person or thing being described.
That was a silly little mistake — please do not worry about it.
adjective + little + noun (softening criticism)
The hotel turned out to be a lovely little place right by the sea.
adjective + little + noun (affectionate)
He made a nasty little comment about her cooking that upset everyone.
What a sweet little dog! Could I please pet him?
Adina lives in a charming little cottage with a bright red front door.
文法句型
adjective + little + noun
用法筆記
This sense only works when 'little' follows another adjective ('nice little flat', 'nasty little habit'). The preceding adjective carries the evaluation; 'little' adds an emotional colour. It is common in spoken and informal written English.
常見錯誤
6. not important or serious enough to cause worry or require attention; describing
not important or serious enough to cause worry or require attention; describing minor issues, disagreements, or flaws.
Do not worry about the little details — focus on the main idea instead.
little details — minor, insignificant aspects
They had a little disagreement about who should wash the dishes.
The manager said it was just a little problem that could be fixed in minutes.
She apologised for the little mess in the living room after the party.
The couple argued over a little thing that neither could remember the next day.
文法句型
little + abstract noun (problem, detail, thing, matter)
用法筆記
Often used deliberately to downplay a problem: calling an issue 'a little problem' suggests it is easily solved. This sense is primarily attributive ('a little issue') rather than predicative ('the issue is little').
常見錯誤
little — adverb
1. to a small degree that is noticeable enough to matter — used before adjectives a
to a small degree that is noticeable enough to matter — used before adjectives and verbs, especially to soften a statement or criticism
The soup was a little too salty for the old fisherman's taste.
a little + adjective
The night guard felt a little nervous walking through the dark warehouse after midnight.
The librarian smiled a little when the child finally returned the overdue book.
The hiker felt a little stronger after resting for an hour by the mountain stream.
文法句型
a little + adjective
a little + comparative adjective
verb + a little
用法筆記
When modifying a comparative adjective, 'a little' is more common in spoken English than 'slightly' and carries a softer, less formal tone.
常見錯誤
2. happening or changing in small stages over a period of time, so that each step i
happening or changing in small stages over a period of time, so that each step is small but the overall result is noticeable
Little by little, the stray cat learned to trust the family that fed it.
little by little — fixed phrase at start of clause
The morning fog lifted little by little as the summer sun climbed higher.
Little by little, the young violinist improved through months of patient daily practice.
The abandoned garden came back to life little by little after the spring rains arrived.
- gradually
more formal; can describe any slow process without the 'step-by-step' image
- step by step
emphasises a deliberate, planned sequence rather than natural unfolding
- all at once
opposite — happening suddenly rather than in stages
- immediately
opposite — with no delay or gradual process
文法句型
little by little + clause
clause + little by little
用法筆記
This is a fixed phrase; the parts cannot be reordered ('by little little') or broken up. It can appear at the beginning or end of a clause.
常見錯誤
3. only a small amount or almost not at all — used before or after a verb to say th
only a small amount or almost not at all — used before or after a verb to say that something happens in very small quantity or with very low frequency
The elderly woman ate very little after surgery because the pain made her feel sick.
very little + verb
The exhausted nurse slept little during her three night shifts in a row.
The local residents cared little about the committee's plan to close the park.
The old stone house had changed little since the Wong family moved away decades ago.
文法句型
verb + little
very little + verb
care/know/sleep/eat/change + little
用法筆記
Without the article 'a,' 'little' before a verb carries a negative sense — 'not enough' or 'hardly any.' Adding 'very' strengthens this negative tone. This is the main contrast with sense 1, where 'a little' is mildly positive or neutral.
常見錯誤
4. barely or only just — used before a comparative word to say that something or so
barely or only just — used before a comparative word to say that something or someone is not significantly different from the thing mentioned, often expressing disappointment or lack of value
That hotel was little more than a damp room with broken furniture and dirty sheets.
little more than + noun phrase
The refugee's few possessions fit into little more than a single worn backpack.
The team's first draft was little more than a rough outline that needed full chapters.
Sahil's apology was little more than a mumbled excuse that no one could hear.
文法句型
little more/better/less than + noun phrase
用法筆記
This pattern expresses a critical or dismissive tone — 'this is not really worthy of a better description.' Can use any comparative: 'little better than,' 'little different from,' 'little less than.'
常見錯誤
little — determiner
1. used before uncountable nouns to show that something exists in a very small amou
used before uncountable nouns to show that something exists in a very small amount, often less than is needed
Little rain fell during the dry season, so the river dried up.
little + uncountable noun for negative quantity
The tenant had little choice but to accept the new monthly rent.
There is little chance that the clinic will open before next month.
Eli spoke little English when he first arrived in the city.
The team finished the race with little effort after months of training.
- not much
more common in everyday speech
- hardly any
stronger, suggests almost none at all
- minimal
more formal, used in writing
文法句型
little + uncountable noun
用法筆記
This sense has a negative meaning — it suggests the quantity is smaller than expected or needed. In informal speech, 'not much' is more common than 'little'. Do not confuse with 'a little' (sense 2), which has a positive meaning of a small but sufficient amount.
常見錯誤
2. a small but noticeable or sufficient amount of something, used before uncountabl
a small but noticeable or sufficient amount of something, used before uncountable nouns when the quantity is not large but still matters or helps
The doctor recommended a little rest after the long surgery.
a little + uncountable noun for positive small quantity
A little kindness from a stranger can make a big difference.
The carpenter added a little glue to fix the broken desk leg.
If you have a little patience, your turn will come very soon.
Tuan put a little pepper on his rice at lunch time today.
- some
more neutral, does not emphasize smallness
- a small amount of
more formal and explicit
- a bit of
informal, common in spoken English
文法句型
a little + uncountable noun
用法筆記
This sense has a positive connotation — the amount is small but helpful or sufficient. It is the opposite in meaning to sense 1 (little without 'a'). Distinguished from the pronoun use ('a little' standing alone) by the presence of a following noun. In informal questions and requests, 'a little' is very common ('Could I have a little water?').
常見錯誤
little — pronoun
1. A small but real or sufficient quantity of something — used when the amount is e
A small but real or sufficient quantity of something — used when the amount is enough for a purpose even though it is not large.
The gardener still has a little of last year's fertiliser left in the shed.
a little + of + noun phrase
Hugo saves a little from each pay cheque to put toward a new bicycle.
save a little (verb + a little)
The recipe calls for a little more milk than what we have in the fridge.
Lien knows a little about caring for houseplants from her grandmother.
After the heavy storm, only a little of the wheat crop could be saved.
- some
More neutral about quantity; 'a little' emphasises that the amount is small.
- a bit
Informal synonym, common in conversation.
- a small amount
More formal and precise, often used in written descriptions.
文法句型
a little + of + [uncountable noun]
have/need/want/know + a little
用法筆記
Always includes the article 'a' — this is what distinguishes this sense from sense 2. The pronoun form stands alone ('a little') rather than modifying a following noun, which separates it from the determiner use ('a little money').
常見錯誤
2. A very small amount that is far from enough for what is needed or expected — use
A very small amount that is far from enough for what is needed or expected — used to express disappointment, criticism, or a sense that something is missing.
Little was done to help the refugees after the earthquake struck the region.
Little was done + infinitive
The committee understood little of the report because it was full of jargon.
understand little of + noun
There is little that the night-shift nurse can do when the pharmacy is closed.
Folake achieved little in the meeting because the manager kept changing the topic.
Little remains of the old theatre after the fire destroyed it last month.
- not much
More natural in everyday speech; less formal.
- hardly anything
More emphatic and conversational.
- almost nothing
Stronger in meaning; implies near-complete absence.
文法句型
little + is/was + done/known/said/remains
little + of + [noun]
understand/achieve/do + little
用法筆記
Used without the article 'a'. This sense is much more common in formal written English than in casual speech. In conversation, speakers usually prefer 'not much' or 'hardly any'. Common set phrases include 'little is known', 'little remains', and 'little was done'.