little and often vs little but often

Both "little and often" and "little but often" are correct phrases, but they have different meanings. "Little and often" means doing something in small amounts but frequently, while "little but often" implies that something is done in small amounts despite other factors. The choice between the two depends on the intended meaning.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1346 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to convey the idea of doing something in small amounts but frequently.

"little and often"

This phrase is used to describe the practice of doing something regularly in small increments. It emphasizes the consistency and frequency of the action.

Examples:

To improve your vocabulary, read a little and often.
Exercise a little and often to stay healthy.
The key to success is practicing a little and often.
Learning a language requires studying a little and often.
She watered the plants a little and often to keep them healthy.

Show examples from the web [+]

The only way to get it out is little and often.
He said he learned to be a film composer working in radio, because each week, he had to score a new programme in just a few days with very little money and often very few musicians.
But, the House warns, this "social economy" sector "remains little-known and is often the target of criticism stemming from misguided technical approaches".
But Terence and Abigail will think of their little girl often, and if they are as wise and as loving as I believe them to be... they will speak of her too.
The work of the Commission and Council has so far had little transparency, and has often been misleading, giving rise to concerns that political, strategic and commercial interests are over-ruling the consistent implementation of clearly defined standards.
However, our rapporteur makes the very fair point that often our youngsters leave school ill-equipped to participate as citizens, and often know little about the EU or other governments which work for them.
Too little is often said about the first three points.
Remember that a little more often.
You should really shine your hair a little more often.
Course, it would be nice to see certain people a little more often.
I think I twinned her a little too often.
We'll have to let you out a little more often.
You've been swimming away from bad guys a little too often these days.
Maybe if we got laid a little more often we wouldn't be so feisty.
You text a lot, but you really should use your delete key a little more often.
Maybe if you go down on her a little more often.
In fact, if I were you, I'd do it a little more often.
I'll have to come back a little more often, Marcy.
My little brother often... gets attached to the things we trap.
Why don't you try it a little more often?

Alternatives:

regularly and in small amounts
frequently and in small doses
consistently and in small increments
in small quantities but regularly
in small portions and frequently

This phrase is correct and used to convey the idea of doing something in small amounts despite other factors.

"little but often"

This phrase is used to describe a situation where something is done in small amounts despite certain obstacles or challenges. It implies persistence or consistency in the face of difficulties.

Examples:

She faced many challenges but continued to work little but often towards her goal.
The project progressed slowly, little but often, until it was completed.
He saved money little but often, even when times were tough.
The team made progress little but often, despite the setbacks.
The artist painted little but often, creating a masterpiece over time.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dramatised her symptoms a little, but they often do.
Alas, we have to compromise in this House a little too often, but I hope that, on balance, this will be good for the continent of Europe.
Young people have innovative skills and are enthusiastic about change, but often wish to act independently.
Substantive work has already begun, but often there is neither awareness nor widespread use.
Most member states already use EU funds, but often not in an effective way .
Mathematical modelling and scientific computing play a fundamental but often invisible role in complex industrial technologies.
But often the terms of such negotiations remain dubious and their implementation difficult to check.
Their heartfelt but often conflicting demands and aspirations can only be tackled successfully by working together to generate consensus and unity.
But often a spike like this happens just before they go operational.
But often the assets don't like the restrictions, so they leave the program.
People have likely gone to rest, but often return even more tired.
But often death comes... unexpectedly.
It's effective, but often painful.
Not all the time, but often.
There is a need to support higher education as an integral, but often missing, component of a comprehensive innovation strategy.
The flowers are picked in May and June, but often also as early as late April.
Women play an important role in diversification of the rural economy, but often encounter specific problems, such as limited access to capital.
The WHO report indicated that the reasons for non-adherence vary but often encountering an unpleasant side effect can be a trigger.
But often they are encouraged to behave in this way by a monopoly situation, illogical laws or political decisions.
The Commission has always focused on prevention - information, education and research - as opposed to a more repressive approach, which is sometimes necessary but often inadequate.

Alternatives:

small amounts despite obstacles
in small increments despite challenges
persistently in small doses
gradually despite difficulties
slowly but consistently

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little and often vs little but often

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