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Believer Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
A little or little
Hi,
When a person is trying to use the phrase 'a little' or the word 'little' as an adverb or as a phrase, how can he do so correctly when both means pretty much the same, at least to me, to mean 'a small extent'?
little -- means 'a small extent' as an adverb
a little or a little bit -- means 'a small extent' as a phrase
To apply in sentences can be tricky.
I can speak English little. -- Can speak English to a small degree (not much), but written or spoken in a negative light.
I can speak English a little bit -- Can speak English to a small degree (not much, but written or spoken in a positive light.
Let us change the verb to that expresses more action.
I can dance little -- ditto?
I can dance a little bit -- ditto?
But what about this?
Joe has been gone little -- Is that mean Joe has gone (away) a little while?
Should we use 'a little' and 'little' in the capacity indicated selectively in relation to using it after a verb? How could I know when I can use them to mean the things I meant to say? If you know what I mean. Thank you.
When a person is trying to use the phrase 'a little' or the word 'little' as an adverb or as a phrase, how can he do so correctly when both means pretty much the same, at least to me, to mean 'a small extent'?
little -- means 'a small extent' as an adverb
a little or a little bit -- means 'a small extent' as a phrase
To apply in sentences can be tricky.
I can speak English little. -- Can speak English to a small degree (not much), but written or spoken in a negative light.
I can speak English a little bit -- Can speak English to a small degree (not much, but written or spoken in a positive light.
Let us change the verb to that expresses more action.
I can dance little -- ditto?
I can dance a little bit -- ditto?
But what about this?
Joe has been gone little -- Is that mean Joe has gone (away) a little while?
Should we use 'a little' and 'little' in the capacity indicated selectively in relation to using it after a verb? How could I know when I can use them to mean the things I meant to say? If you know what I mean. Thank you.
Top answer
Little is negative; it means 'not much' A little is positive; it means 'more than not at all/none'. I can speak little English . = I can't speak much; I'm a failure I can speak English a little bit = I can speak some; I'm succeeding.
- Little is negative; it means 'not much' A little is positive; it means 'more than not at all/none'.
- I can speak little English .
- = I can't speak much; I'm a failure I can speak English a little bit = I can speak some; I'm succeeding.
- I can dance little = Not common, but I don't know why; more common: I dance little (= I seldom dance) I can dance a little bit = I have some talent at it.
- Joe has been gone little = John is usually here.
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1 Answers
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Little is negative; it means 'not much'
A little is positive; it means 'more than not at all/none'.
I can speak little English. = I can't speak much; I'm a failure
I can speak English a little bit = I can speak some; I'm succeeding.
I can dance little = Not common, but I don't know why; more common: I dance little (= I seldom dan
A little is positive; it means 'more than not at all/none'.
I can speak little English. = I can't speak much; I'm a failure
I can speak English a little bit = I can speak some; I'm succeeding.
I can dance little = Not common, but I don't know why; more common: I dance little (= I seldom dan
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