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Butterfly60 Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

I saw little of him

Hi,

why should we say: I saw little of him and not I saw him little. Or both can be written and are similar ?

If they are similiar, does it exist any difference in the meaning ?

Thanks in advance
  

Top answer

They are both possible. The first is more usual. The second is somewhat strange.

— CalifJim

  • They are both possible.
  • The first is more usual.
  • The second is somewhat strange.
  • They mean the same thing.
  • Both, especially the second, sound a bit literary.
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2 Answers
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They are both possible. The first is more usual. The second is somewhat strange. They mean the same thing. Both, especially the second, sound a bit literary. In ordinary conversation we would say

I didn't see (very) much of him.

or

I didn't see him (very) much.

CJ
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'I saw little of him' is certainly more common in 'British' English.

'I saw him little' for me is strange in that I don't think I've heard it before. 'I saw him a little' is uncommon but I've heard it said.
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