use of "little"

[hela]

Hello,

Is it correct to say: "I am having little trouble passing my driving test" ?
Does it make sense ?

Could you say "I am having a little trouble" too ?

Thanks

 

[emsr2d2]

Hello,

Is it correct to say: "I am having little trouble passing my driving test" ?
Does it make sense ?

Could you say "I am having a little trouble" too ?

Thanks

They have different meanings.

I am having a little trouble = I am having some trouble; I am finding it a bit difficult
I am having little trouble = I am having almost no trouble; I am finding it quite easy

Remember that we do not put a space before a question mark.

 

[5jj]

I am having a little trouble passing my driving test = I am having some trouble; I am finding it a bit difficult
I am having little trouble passing my driving test = I am having almost no trouble; I am finding it quite easy

The first implies that the speaker may have failed a couple of times. The second is unlikely in a present tense, though 'I had little trouble passing my driving test' is possible.

 

[hela]

Thanks to both of you.
Have a nice day.

 

[jebonfikri]

I have read my book, it says "a little and a few" give positive idea, but "little and few" give negative idea. According to these examples:
I am having a little trouble = I am having some trouble; I am finding it a bit difficult (negative idea)
I am having little trouble = I am having almost no trouble; I am finding it quite easy (positive idea)

I get confused.
Could you please give me explanations?

 

[Barb_D]

I have read my book, it says "a little and a few" give positive idea, but "little and few" give negative idea. According to these examples:
I am having a little trouble = I am having some trouble; I am finding it a bit difficult (negative idea)
I am having little trouble = I am having almost no trouble; I am finding it quite easy (positive idea)

I get confused.
Could you please give me explanations?

What you have posted is right. "A little/a few" = some, but a small number, or a small amount. It isn't necessarily positive or negative.

 

[emsr2d2]

I have a lot of money = positive
I have some money = neutral
I have a little money = neutral
I have little money = negative

That's how I would label them, if I were into labelling.

 

[5jj]

I have a lot of money = positive
I have some money = neutral
I have a little money = neutral
I have little money = negative

That's how I would label them, if I were into labelling.

I'm not into labelling, so I won't bother with it for these:

I have a lot of difficulty/debts.
I have some difficulty/debts.
I have a little difficulty / a few debts.
I have little difficulty / few debts.

;-)

 

[emsr2d2]

Thus proving, as if we needed to do so, that CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING!! :cheers: