A bit

We use a bit (of) or bits (of) to refer to quantities. The phrases can refer to both abstract and concrete things. They are an informal alternative to some, or a piece of or pieces of:

Do they need a bit of help with their luggage? (or … somehelp …)

There were bits of glass everywhere. (or … pieces ofglass …)

Have you lost a bit of weight? (or … someweight?)

The storm had broken the fence into bits. (meaning ‘into small pieces’)

A bit or bits often have deliberately vague and informal meanings:

I’ve given him a few bits of advice.

These words can also soften the meaning, so that a statement is not too direct:

Wearing those shoes is a bit of a problem for her, I’m afraid.

We also use a bit to modify adjectives, or as an adverb. It is more informal than a little:

They had got a bit tired working in the garden.

Can you wait a bit for us? We’re in heavy traffic.

A bit is also used to modify comparative adjectives and comparative determiners:

The climate in New Zealand was a bit nicer than we had expected.

However, a bit and a bit of are not normally used to modify comparative adjectives before nouns:

It was a bit more entertaining than the last play we saw.

Not: a bit more entertaining play. or a bit more of entertaining play.

• thesaurus_judgment
• thesaurus_judgmental
• thesaurus_judgment-day
• thesaurus_judicial
• thesaurus_judicial-contest
• thesaurus_judicial-intermission
• thesaurus_judicial-officer
• thesaurus_judicial-process
• thesaurus_judicial-redress
• thesaurus_judicial-right
• thesaurus_judicial-tribunal
• thesaurus_judiciary
• thesaurus_judicious
• thesaurus_judiciousness
• thesaurus_jug
• thesaurus_juggernaut
• thesaurus_juggle
• thesaurus_juggler
• thesaurus_jugglery
• thesaurus_juggling
• thesaurus_juice
• thesaurus_juiced
• thesaurus_juice-filled
• thesaurus_juicy
• thesaurus_juju