A handful of boxes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A handful of boxes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small, manageable number of boxes, often implying that it is not a large quantity. Example: "She carried a handful of boxes into the room, carefully balancing them in her arms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A handful of boxes on the schedules distributed today read TBA.

The New York Times

Each time, he brought them half-a-dozen AK-47s and a handful of boxes of ammunition.

The Guardian

With the new powder and a handful of boxes, a person's drinking needs are met without using any power or consumable material.

TechCrunch

Well, a handful of boxes have yet to go out yet, and Kardashian has a list in mind and she's checking it twice (sorry, wrong holiday) with plans to send the gift to some of her feuding partners. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Grab a ticket from the bartender for the 6 p.m. race, and join the crowd as people pump their fists and hurl mock threats at a handful of box turtles inching their way down a shuffleboard table.

The New York Times - Travel

"Frozen" has already shattered a handful of box-office records.

Huffington Post

The course plays relatively short — less than 7,000 yards — but only a handful of tee boxes were changed for the weekend.

The New York Times - Sports

And perched atop that tower of kerosene and oxygen is a tiny capsule, with the volume of a handful of telephone boxes, and a couple of tonnes of supplies and three passengers crammed in among them.

The Guardian

As a Christmas present BonaYou can work well on an individual basis, but if the whole family embraces the idea, it may end with a handful of BonaYou boxes under a Christmas tree.

TechCrunch

A photo uploaded to his Instagram account on Friday shows the former president greeting employees with a handful of stacked boxes in tow.

Huffington Post

Whole Foods responded by reshuffling its board, bringing in a handful of big box retail stars and promoting Gabrielle Sulzberger, who hails from private equity, to chairwoman.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "A handful of boxes" when you want to convey a small, easily manageable number of boxes, often to downplay the amount.

Common error

Avoid using "a handful of boxes" if you are referring to a significant number of boxes. It's best suited for small quantities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "A handful of boxes" functions as a noun phrase, where "a handful of" acts as a determiner specifying a small quantity of the noun "boxes". As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "A handful of boxes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a small number of boxes. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives like ""several boxes"" or ""a few boxes"" exist, the phrase is well-suited for scenarios where emphasizing a manageable quantity is desired. Remember to avoid using it when referring to a large number of boxes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Several boxes

Replaces the informal "a handful of" with a more neutral quantifier.

A few boxes

Similar to "several boxes", but slightly less formal than "several".

A small number of boxes

More formal and precise, specifying that the quantity is small.

A limited number of boxes

Emphasizes the restricted quantity of boxes.

A collection of boxes

Implies a group of boxes gathered together, but doesn't specify the quantity.

A selection of boxes

Suggests boxes chosen from a larger set, without quantity specification.

A group of boxes

General term for multiple boxes considered together, with no specific quantity implied.

Some boxes

Simple and general, indicating an unspecified quantity of boxes.

A portion of boxes

Indicates that the boxes are part of a larger quantity or set.

A set of boxes

Suggests boxes that belong together, possibly for a specific purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "A handful of boxes" in a sentence?

You can use "A handful of boxes" to describe a small quantity of boxes, for example: "She carried "a handful of boxes" to the storage room.

What are some alternatives to "A handful of boxes"?

Some alternatives to "A handful of boxes" include "several boxes", "a few boxes", or "a small number of boxes".

Is "A handful of boxes" formal or informal?

"A handful of boxes" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, consider using ""a small number of boxes"".

When is it appropriate to use "A handful of boxes"?

It's appropriate to use "A handful of boxes" when you want to emphasize the small and manageable quantity of boxes, implying it's not a large or overwhelming amount.