ENGLISH
REFERENCE

a bit more

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. a small amount extra of something. You use this to make a request or a description slightly stronger.

fixed phr.. used to indicate a small additional degree or quantity.


SIMPLE

Can you speak a bit more slowly?

CONTEXTUAL

I think the soup needs a bit more salt before we serve it to the guests.

COMPLEX

The researchers argued that a bit more data was required to substantiate their claims regarding the shift in climate patterns.

Usage

Functions as a quantifier phrase, adverbially to modify adjectives and verbs, or as a determiner before uncountable nouns.

Teaching tip

this is a softer, more natural alternative to 'slightly more' in spoken English; it is frequently used in polite requests to avoid sounding too demanding.

Pitfall

I need a bit more of water.I need a bit more water.do not use 'of' when 'a bit more' is followed directly by a noun.

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