1. ‘Little’ means ‘hardly any’. Ex :
There is little hope of his recovery. (Incorrect)
There is a little hope of his recovery. (correct)
2. ‘A little’ means ‘some’, though not much. Ex :
Little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Incorrect)
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Correct)
3. ‘The little means ‘not much but all there is’. Ex :
Little water that is in the bottle may be used for the child. (Incorrect)
The little water that is in the bottle may be used for the patient. (Correct)