ENGLISH
REFERENCE

a little more

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. a small extra amount of something. You use this to ask for or describe a slight increase.

fixed phr.. a quantifier phrase indicating a small additional quantity or degree of a mass noun, or used adverbially to modify an action or adjective.


SIMPLE

Could I have a little more coffee, please?

CONTEXTUAL

We need to wait a little more before the cake is ready to eat.

COMPLEX

The researchers concluded that a little more investment in infrastructure would yield significant long-term economic benefits for the local community.

Usage

Usually followed by an uncountable noun or used alone as an adverbial phrase.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'a few more' which is used for countable nouns; 'a little more' is for mass nouns like water, time, or effort.

Pitfall

I need a little more chairs.I need a few more chairs.'a little more' is only for uncountable things; use 'a few more' for countable items like chairs.

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