Difference between little and a little

When do we use Little?

• Little expresses a diminutive size or a negative quantity.
  
• Little means “almost nothing” or “not much”.
• Examples;

1. I’m sorry, I speak little French.
2. There was little time to finish my homework.
3. I have drunk little water this morning.

When do we use A Little?

• A little is used with positive quantity and non-countable nouns.
• It means “a small amount ” or “some”.
• Examples;
  

1. There is a little milk in the refrigerator
2. Would you like a little water?
3. Mary got a little bit of pie.
4. Can’t you discount it a little?
5. I need a little sugar. I will have tea.