a little bit early vs little early

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'A little bit early' implies a small amount of earliness, while 'little early' suggests a lack of earliness. The choice between them depends on the specific context and the intended meaning.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 21802 views

a little bit early

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a small amount of earliness.

This phrase is used to describe a situation where something is slightly ahead of schedule or before the expected time.

Examples:

I arrived a little bit early for the meeting.
The cake needs to bake a little bit early to be ready on time.
She finished her homework a little bit early today.
Can we leave a little bit early to avoid traffic?
The train arrived a little bit early at the station.

Show examples from the web [+]

Maybe they wanted to get to the honeymoon a little bit early.
My flight got in a little bit early, and I just took a cab over.
Just, let me expire you a little bit early.
Maybe you can bust out a little bit early, we can get a few holes in?
I think it's a little bit early to make that statement, Dr. Wells.
I mean, isn't this just a little bit early in the election cycle to be having this meeting?
- Actually, I am meeting somebody, but I'm a little bit early.
Well, I can knock off a little bit early, but I'll tell you what, why don't we walk to my place 'cause I've got some crackers I need to get rid of.
But do you think that maybe we could go back to the city Just a little bit early?
Do you care if we leave the dance a little bit early? - Early?
A little bit early, Anders.
So is it cool if I just like leave A little bit early or whatever?
Let's start a little bit early, and I bet you it turns out okay just like the last one.
Do you mind if I leave a little bit early today?
Aren't you a little bit early?
Listen, a couple of the kids have to leave a little bit early, so I was wondering, I know we said we'd start at 2:00, but is there any way we could start 15 minutes early?
He wasn't feeling too well, so he left a little bit early.
My flight got in a little bit early, And I just took a cab over. I didn't to bug him or anything.
That'll put us on the gate in San Francisco on time or a little bit early, maybe a little bit before 11:00 local time.

Alternatives:

slightly early
a bit early
a tad early
a touch early
a smidgen early

little early

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a lack of earliness.

This phrase is used to convey that something is not as early as expected or desired.

Examples:

He was a little early for the appointment.
The bus arrived a little early, catching us off guard.
She tends to be a little early for social events.
The project deadline is a little early for us to meet.
The store opening hours are a little early for me to shop.

Show examples from the web [+]

A little early risk goes a long bad way: Adverse childhood experiences and life-course offending in the Cambridge study.
Hi teachers, Situation: at the doctor's office. Would, 'I'm a bit before the expected time' be a paraphrase for: A: I'm a little early.

Alternatives:

not quite early
not very early
a bit late
a touch late
a tad late

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a little bit early vs little early