Little
'Little' has these functions: determiner, pronoun, or adverb. In this lesson, we will discover all about this word.
Little is a small word with three functions that we are going to learn in this lesson.
Functions of 'Little'
1. 'Little' as a Determiner
Use
Little as a determiner is used to modify a noun and indicates something is small in size, small in amount, a younger person, a short duration, or an unimportant thing. It is also used to approve or disapprove of something or someone. Take a look:
- Little indicates something is small in size. For example:
We have a
small school
He is a
a short man
- Little heads an uncountable noun to show it is small in amount. Look:
I have
'Little' heads an uncountable noun.
- Little shows someone is younger than another person, like:
This is my
- Little indicates a short period of time or distance. Like:
We need a
He left us for a
- Little shows something is unimportant or trivial. Look:
That's a
- Little indicates to refer to someone or something in an approving/friendly way or a disapproving/critical way. Look:
Bless her
approving
She has a dirty
disapproving
Position in a Sentence
Little as a determiner is used to before nouns or noun phrases to modify them, like:
He left us for a
I have
This is my
2. 'Little' as a Pronoun
Use
Little as a pronoun replaces the noun it refers to and shows 'a small amount or quantity.' Look:
There is
Position in a Sentence
Little as a pronoun can replace the subject, the object, the subject complement, etc. Look:
There is
'Little' is the object.
'Little' is the subject.
3. 'Little' as an Adverb
Use
Little as an adverb is used to modify a verb and add more information to the sentence. It either indicates something of a small amount or degree or an action that is done not very often. Look:
- Little indicates a very small amount or degree and means 'hardly at all, not very much.' Look:
I work very
She is
- Little means 'not often.' Look:
She travels
Position in a Sentence
Little as an adverb modifies the verb. So it can be placed before or after the verb. Like:
She travels
She is
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