Small vs Little
Difference between small and little is somewhat narrow thus creating confusion as when to use each word. Before analyzing the difference between small and little, here is some background information about the two words, small and little. Small is used as an adjective and an adverb. Little is used as an adjective, determiner and pronoun as well as an adverb. Moreover, little comes from the Old English word lȳtel. In the same manner, small comes from the Old English word smæl. Among the many phrases that use the words small and little feel small, in a small way, in little and little by little are just a few.
What does Small mean?
Small refers to the size only. It is a word considered to be the opposite of ‘big’ or ‘large.’ On the other hand, the word small necessarily expresses size as in the sentence given below.
It is a small house.
In this sentence, you get the idea that the house is small in size by the usage of the word small. It is interesting to note that the word little when suggestive of size includes an adverb too along with it as in the sentence mentioned below.
Look at the pretty little house.
In this sentence, the word little is accompanied by another adjective or adverb called pretty.
What does Little mean?
The word little, on the other hand, is used to express some emotion or sometimes an idea of smallness as in the sentence given below.
I have decided to look after the poor little thing.
Here, the word little suggests the emotion of affection on a living being such as a dog or a cat. Now observe the following sentence.
Her brother is a funny little man.
In the sentence given above, the word little is used to suggest an idea of smallness. Sometimes the word little suggests nothingness of a thing as in the sentence given below.
There is little water in the jar.
In this sentence, the use of the word little only suggests that there is no water at all in the jar. Or, perhaps that there is so little water in the jar that it is like there is no water at all. In the same way the following sentence, ‘He knows little’ only suggests ‘he knows nothing.’ This is an interesting usage of the word little. Sometimes the word little suggests the meaning of short as in the sentence given below.
A little while ago she left the home.
In this sentence, the word little suggests the meaning of short.
What is the difference between Small and Little?
• Small refers to the size only. It is a word considered to be the opposite of ‘big’ or ‘large.’
• The word little, on the other hand, is used to express some emotion or sometimes an idea of smallness.
• On the other hand, the word small necessarily expresses size.
• At times, the adjective small accompanies another adverb or adjective.
• Sometimes the word little suggests nothingness of a thing.
• Sometimes the word little suggests the meaning of short.
These are the important differences between small and little.