little to + noun
Showing a small degree or effect
Little to means that something has almost no effect, importance, or connection.
His apology did little to calm the audience.
Little to, little of, or little in?
Little combines naturally with different prepositions depending on meaning. Little to often means a small degree, little of refers to a small amount, and little in appears in expressions about interest or value.
Quick answer
Which form is correct?
Use little to before nouns like chance, connection, or importance. Use little of before an uncountable noun or pronoun. Use little in when talking about interest, confidence, or value in something.
The changes made little to improve safety.
We had little of the information we needed.
She takes little interest in office politics.
We had little of the information we needed.
She takes little interest in office politics.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
little of + noun/pronoun
Referring to a small amount
Little of is used before uncountable nouns or pronouns to show that only a small amount exists.
Only little of the evidence was usable.
little interest/confidence/faith in + noun
Talking about weak feelings toward something
Little in commonly appears when the adjective little modifies nouns such as interest or faith followed by in.
They showed little confidence in the plan.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
little to
The medicine did little to help.
Almost no effect or contribution.
little of
Little of the cake was left.
A small amount of something.
little in
She has little interest in sports.
Weak interest or involvement in something.
little with
He had little experience with computers.
With can follow a separate noun such as experience; it is not a fixed pattern with little.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using little to before an amount noun
Little to does not normally mean a small quantity.
✕ There was little to the water left. ✓ There was little of the water left.Forgetting the noun before in
Little in usually follows a noun such as interest, faith, or confidence.
✕ She is little in art. ✓ She has little interest in art.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The new rule did ___ reduce delays.
2. ___ the budget remained after the repairs.
3. He has little faith ___ online reviews.
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Frequently asked questions
Can little to be followed by a verb?
Yes. Little to is often followed by a base verb, as in little to improve or little to change.
Is little of used with countable nouns?
Usually no. Little of is mainly used with uncountable nouns or pronouns.
Is little in always correct?
Not by itself. It is usually part of a larger phrase such as little interest in or little confidence in.
Related preposition guides
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