This is the same trick as few and a few, but for things you can't count, like milk, time or snow. The little word a changes the mood.
- Little means almost none. It sounds worried.
- A little means some. It sounds happy.
Little: almost none
Use little (with no a) when there is hardly any. It's a little sad.
There is little milk left, so there is no cereal for me.
We have little time before the bus comes.
Little snow fell, so the sledges stayed in the shed.
My robot has little patience for slow cats.
A little: some
Use a little when there is a small amount, and it is enough.
There is a little milk left, so we can all have cereal.
We have a little time before the bus comes. Let's run!
A little snow fell, and we built a tiny snowman.
My robot has a little patience for slow cats.
Both go with things you can't count: little milk, a little time. For things you can count, use few and a few.
Easy way to tell them apart
Ask yourself: is it enough, or not enough?
✅ I have a little time. (good news, I have some)
✅ I have little time. (bad news, I'm almost out)
💡 The OddLingo Trick
A little means a bit of.
If you can say a bit of, keep the a. I have a bit of time means I have a little time.
If you mean "hardly any", drop the a.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Do you mean "some"? Then keep the a.
❌ Don't worry, I have little time to help you. (this says you are almost out of time)
✅ Don't worry, I have a little time to help you.
Little is for things you can't count.
❌ I have little friends.
✅ I have few friends. / I have a few friends.
A little can't go with a plural noun.
❌ I need a little books.
✅ I need a few books. / I need a little time.
Good to know
- Little can also mean small. A little dog is a small dog, not "some dog". Here little describes size, not amount.
- A little can also go before an adjective. I am a little tired means "I am slightly tired".
- If you want to compare, you will need less: There is less juice than yesterday.
💬 In a Conversation
Sam: Is there any juice left?
Mia: A little.
Sam: Oh no. Only a little?
Mia: No, a little is good news. Little juice would be bad news.
Sam: How much is there?
Mia: Enough for one cup.
Sam: Then I'm taking it before the cat does.