a few articles

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few articles" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an unspecified, but small number of objects. For example: "I read a few articles in the newspaper this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Full disclosure: I wrote a few articles for the publication).

The New York Times

I had also published my first book, as well as quite a few articles and papers.

The New York Times

The core of protesters did not want to tinker with a few articles.

The Economist

I've written a few articles about Formula One for a special report.

The New York Times

At the sandbox this group scavanges a few articles from smaller children.

The New Yorker

Janet Lorin, a reporter for Bloomberg, has written a few articles about the College Board's finances.

The New York Times

They traveled together to the Soviet Union, Afghanistan and China and together wrote a few articles.

The New York Times - Books

The whole of 19th-century orientalism is there, condensed into a few articles.

The Guardian

"I've seen a few articles today about the low value of the pound.

The Guardian

My curiosity peaked two years ago, after writing a few articles about gun control.

The New York Times

A few articles mentioned the importance of adaptation of agile.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few articles", ensure the context makes it clear that you are referring to a small, non-specific number. Avoid using it when a more precise number is known or relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "a few articles" when you actually mean a significant number. If you're referring to a substantial body of work, use phrases like "many articles" or "numerous studies" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few articles" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "articles". It indicates a small, unspecified quantity. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few articles" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote a small, indefinite number of articles. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, especially in science and news reporting. While acceptable in formal writing, more precise language may be preferable depending on the specific situation. When you use "a few articles", make sure you are referring to a small number and that you don't use it when precision is paramount. Authoritative sources like the New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC frequently employ this phrase, affirming its reliability in high-quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Some articles

This alternative is a more general way to refer to an unspecified number of articles.

A small number of articles

This alternative is a more formal and explicit way to express a limited quantity of articles.

A limited number of articles

This highlights the restriction on the quantity of articles.

Several articles

This alternative suggests a slightly larger, though still indefinite, number of articles compared to "a few articles".

A handful of articles

This alternative emphasizes a small, easily manageable number of articles.

A couple of articles

This alternative specifies an even smaller number, implying approximately two articles.

Selected articles

Similar to "certain articles", this implies a choice or curation of specific articles.

Certain articles

This alternative focuses on specific or particular articles, rather than just a quantity.

A scattering of articles

This alternative suggests that articles are sparse or infrequent.

Various articles

This suggests a diversity or range of articles, rather than a specific quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "a few articles" to refer to a small, indefinite number of articles. For example, "I read "a few articles" about the topic before forming my opinion."

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

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

Is it better to say "a few articles" or "several articles"?

The choice between ""a few articles"" and "several articles" depends on the number you want to imply. "A few" suggests a smaller number than "several".

Can I use "a few articles" in formal writing?

"A few articles" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but in some contexts, "a small number of articles" might sound more precise and professional.