Had Little Time

Question

"She had little time for the kids."If you would like to indicate the same, you would use "Neither did I," right?Hiro

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

HSSyou would use "Neither did I," right?

Right.

CJ

Fandorin · Answer

Hi Jim.

If I say- "So did I", I will indicate that I had little time, too. Right?

CalifJim · Answer

FandorinIf I say- "So did I", I will indicate that I had little time, too. Right?

"So did I" won't work because little is a negative polarity item here.

"I had little time" is like saying, "I didn't have very much time".

Maybe you're thinking of a little time?

"I had a little time" is like saying "I had a small amount of time". In this case you can say "I did too" or "So did I".

CJ

Philip · Answer

CalifJim
FandorinIf I say- "So did I", I will indicate that I had little time, too. Right?
"So did I" won't work because little is a negative polarity item here.

CJ

I keep forgetting about little things like the "negative polarity item". Thanks for mentioning it.

Fandorin · Answer

Thank you, Jim. I got it. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

HSS · Answer

"The major quake a couple of days ago caused little damage."
"So did the ensuing tsunami."

I ran across this conversation. Does this mean "little" without "a" could also have a positive polarity?

Hiro

CalifJim · Answer

HSS"The major quake a couple of days ago caused little damage."
"So did the ensuing tsunami."

I ran across this conversation. Does this mean "little" without "a" could also have a positive polarity?

The people engaging in this conversation certainly think so! To me it seems a bit anomalous. It's as if the person who responded heard, incorrectly, "a little" instead of "little". I would have used "neither" instead of "so".

Still, maybe -- as a change that English is undergoing these days -- "little" is coming to be treated as positive in some cases by some speakers.

I have passed these variants through my brain so often now in trying to respond to this thread that I can no longer trust any of my intuitions on the subject! My brain is aching! Maybe other speakers have different feelings about the use of these "negative polarity items", and we should see if others respond with their opinions.

CJ

Fandorin · Answer

I have mulled over it [:^)] and I would go along with CalifJim. When negation or idea of showing that something is neglectfully small is implied, "neither" should be used.

By the way, "little" has the tinge of negation in contrast with "a little", doesn't it, Jim?

Philip · Answer

FandorinBy the way, "little" has the tinge of negation in contrast with "a little", doesn't it, Jim?

I'll jump back in here. Yes, to answer your question.

I had a little free time last night, so I finished a book I had been trying to read.

I had little free time last night, so I couldn't finish a book I had been trying to read.

CalifJim · Answer

FandorinBy the way, "little" has the tinge of negation in contrast with "a little", doesn't it, Jim?

Yes.

a little ~ a small amount; more than nothing
little ~ a negligible amount; not very much

CJ

Had Little Time

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