A few of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A few of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of items or people from a larger group. Example: "A few of the students in the class excelled in their projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few of her babies.

The New York Times - Travel

A few of them for empire.

The New Yorker

A few of them shaved their heads.

The New Yorker

A few of the songs, though, rock.

The New York Times

A few of these speeches survive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A few of them were common criminals.

The New Yorker

A few of them are: That….

The New Yorker

A few of those artists have remained.

The New York Times

A few of the boys looked smug.

The New York Times - Sports

A few of the exchanges follow.

The New York Times - Health

A few of the rest are limping.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your use of quantifiers. While "a few of" is perfectly acceptable, using synonyms like "several of" or "a handful of" can make your writing more engaging and prevent repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "few of" when you intend to convey a small but positive quantity. The phrase "few" (without "a") implies scarcity or a negative connotation, whereas "a few" suggests that there are some, which is a positive statement. For instance, use "a few of the guests arrived early" instead of "few of the guests arrived early" if you want to convey that some guests did arrive early.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few of" functions as a quantifier, specifying a small number of items or individuals from a larger set. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a limited portion of a whole, and is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few of" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that functions as a quantifier, indicating a small number or portion of a larger group. According to Ludwig AI, its communicative purpose is to provide an estimate of quantity without being overly precise. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When writing, remember that using similar quantifiers like "several of" or "some of" can add variety. Also, be mindful of the difference between "few of" and "a few of", as the former implies scarcity while the latter denotes a small, positive amount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Just a few of

Adds emphasis to the smallness of the quantity, suggesting it is unexpectedly or surprisingly few.

Only a few of

Emphasizes the exclusivity or limited nature of the quantity.

Several of

Indicates more than two or three, suggesting a slightly larger quantity than "a few of".

Some of

A more general term indicating an unspecified quantity, overlapping with "a few of" but potentially encompassing a wider range.

A small number of

More formal and explicit about the quantity being small, suitable for more formal contexts.

A handful of

Implies a quantity that can be held in one hand, suggesting a small and easily manageable amount.

A couple of

Specifically refers to two items, whereas "a few of" implies more than two but less than several.

A limited number of

Highlights the restriction on the quantity, emphasizing that it is not abundant.

Not many of

Emphasizes the scarcity of the quantity, focusing on what is lacking rather than what is present.

A select few of

Highlights that the items are chosen from a bigger group.

FAQs

How do I use "a few of" in a sentence?

Use "a few of" to indicate a small quantity or selection from a larger group. For example, "A few of the students excelled in their projects" or "A few of the books were damaged during shipping".

What can I say instead of "a few of"?

You can use alternatives like "several of", "some of", or "a small number of depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a few of" or "several of"?

Both "a few of" and "several of" are correct, but "several of" implies a slightly larger quantity than "a few of". Choose the phrase that best represents the quantity you are describing. If you want to say that some items are more than 2 or 3 items, you can use "several of".

What's the difference between "few of" and "a few of"?

"Few of" implies scarcity and has a negative connotation, while "a few of" indicates a small but positive quantity. For example, "Few of the attendees enjoyed the speech" suggests that almost no one liked it, while "A few of the attendees enjoyed the speech" suggests that some attendees did like it.