Expression: "I have a little family."

[Tom]

Hi

Could you please tell me if the following sentence sounds natural to you--especially the use of little?

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

It seems to me that the word 'small' would be more typical. You could also say "My family is small."
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Tom]

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

'Little' to me in the sense you have used it suggests a certain coyness. To exaggerate further I could say: In this picture you can see my little wife, my little house and my little dog. Sort of makes you cringe, doesn't it?

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Yankee]

Hi Tom

Saying "I have a little family" also suggests that you might want to say "I have a little bit of family".

For example, I might tell you this:
I have a little (bit of) family in Pennsylvania, but most of my family is in Connecticut.
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_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln