quite a little
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun Phrase: - A significant or considerable amount; a large quantity: The phrase "quite a little" is an idiomatic expression that, somewhat counter-intuitively, means a substantial amount or a good deal of something. It is often used to emphasize that the quantity is larger than might be initially assumed or is noteworthy.
Usage and Examples
- General Use: The phrase is typically used with "of" followed by an uncountable noun or a plural noun to indicate a large quantity.
- She has quite a little of experience in that field. (She has a significant amount of experience.)
- The project required quite a little of money to complete. (The project required a lot of money.)
- We received quite a little of positive feedback. (We received a large amount of positive feedback.)
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Idiomatic Nature: The phrase is an idiom where "little" does not carry its usual meaning of a small amount. Instead, "quite a little" functions as a fixed unit meaning the opposite. It is similar to other idioms like "a pretty penny" meaning a lot of money.
- Emphatic Function: It often adds a tone of understated emphasis or mild surprise at the quantity involved.
- For a small town, it has quite a little of history. (It has a surprisingly large amount of history.)
Variants and Related Words
- Quite a bit (of): A more common and direct synonym meaning a large amount.
- He knows quite a bit about cars.
- A good deal (of): Another phrase indicating a large quantity or extent.
- A good deal of time was wasted.
- A lot (of) / Lots (of): The most common and neutral phrases for a large amount.
- She has a lot of books.
Synonyms
- A large amount (of)
- A great deal (of)
- A considerable amount (of)
- A sizable quantity (of)
- An abundance (of)
Related Phrases and Collocations
- Quite a little effort: A significant amount of effort.
- It took quite a little effort to convince them.
- Quite a little time: A considerable length of time.
- I spent quite a little time researching that topic.
- Quite a little number (of): A fairly large number (used with countable nouns). This usage is less common but possible.
- There were quite a little number of people at the event. (Note: "quite a few" is far more standard for countable nouns.)
Notes on Usage
- The phrase "quite a little" is less frequent in modern everyday speech than "quite a bit" or "a lot." It can sometimes sound slightly formal or old-fashioned.
- It is primarily used with uncountable nouns (e.g., money, time, trouble). For countable nouns, the standard phrase is "quite a few."
- Incorrect/Marked: He has quite a little books.
- Correct: He has quite a few books.
Noun
- (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
- a batch of letters
- a deal of trouble
- a lot of money
- he made a mint on the stock market
- see the rest of the winners in our huge passel of photos
- it must have cost plenty
- a slew of journalists
- a wad of money