Hi, Grammar Exchange members!
Don't worry; only ............. coffee was spilt on the carpet.
a. little b. a little
Some grammarians, as I read, say that we should avoid using (a little) with (only)
However, I see that (little) can work in such a context. What do you think?
Hi, Dr Ahmed,
@Dr Ahmed posted:Hi, Grammar Exchange members!
Don't worry; only ............. coffee was spilt on the carpet.
a. little b. a little
Some grammarians, as I read, say that we should avoid using (a little) with (only)
However, I see that (little) can work in such a context. What do you think?
I am afraid I don't agree. 'Only little' can be used when 'little' is used adjectively'.
- Only little children can ......
'Only/Just a little' is used when 'little' is a determiner.
- Don't worry. Only a little coffee was spilt on the carpet.
From 'English Grammar In Use', page 147:
"We say only a little (not only little) and only a few (not only few)"
- Hurry! We only have a little time. (= some, but not much time)Hurry! We only have a little time. (= some, but not much time)
- The village was small. There were only a few houses. (= some but not many houses)
By the way, David has an excellent point here:
