Lesson 15 Little and a little

These expressions are used with uncountable nouns.

a little--a small amount, in the positive sense.

e.g.      I have time, so I can help you.

            I have a little money, so I can get a cup of coffee.

These expressions can be modified by adding "bit of"--not really changing the overall meaning of the sentences.

e.g.      I have a little bit of time, so I can help you.

            I have a little bit of money, so I can get a cup of coffee.

little--a small amount, in the negative sense

e.g.      I have little time, so I can't help you.

            I have little money in my pocket, so I cannot afford a cup of coffee.

These expressions can be modified by adding "very" making the amount much smaller.

e.g.      I can only take short trips because I have very little vacation time.

            The drink tasted awful because there was very little alcohol in it.

Quiz

Complete the quiz by adding "little" or "a little

1. I have _____time for silly jokes.
2. They have _____money saved for a vacation in the Caribbean.
3. His idea of fun was to spend _____ time travelling and seeing the wonders of the world.
4. He was a having _____ difficulty learning English until attended classes at EC.
5. They were having _____difficulty learning Japanese, and became fluent within a year.
6. I would like _____ milk in my coffee.
7. He had _____ furniture in his room because he liked the empty feeling.
8. They were unprepared for the weather in Toronto because they had done _____ research before taking the trip.