a few assists

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few assists" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of assists, typically in the context of sports or activities where assistance is counted. Example: "In the last game, he contributed with a few assists that helped secure the victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Despite protestations from John and Allen that this turn of events will not affect their friendship with Steve, it surely does, with a few assists from the evil Jake and despite the efforts of Cynthia to jolt John's better instincts back to life.

The New York Times

It's an easy way to get a few assists.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A few assist women in accessing and using the abortion pill.

Vice

"I've scored some more this season which I'm pleased with, and I've got a few more assists but I think my overall game has improved," he said.

BBC

Whatever you think of Oprah's book club, she's clearly had a tremendous career, one that reflects her own work and determination, and with precious few assists from her family or society.

The Economist

His backups, Charlie Ward and Howard Eisley, have both scored more points, shot better from the field, committed fewer turnovers and given out only a few fewer assists during the preseason.

The New York Times - Sports

She spent a few years assisting directors including Dominic Dromgoole and Katie Mitchell, then at 26 became the youngest artistic director in the country, co-running the Gate in London with Natalie Abrahami.

The Guardian

Kalani sold Wake to design platform InVision in April, and after a few months assisting the transition, he's joined 0x.

TechCrunch

And few assisted living facilities seem to have staff training or other programs in place to spot problems or help the aging drinker, said Dr. Castle, who is now circulating questionnaires to administrators and nursing directors.

The New York Times

Killing near the NyangNyangs and Bangs is good, because you can find a few Ringmasters or Assists waiting for someone ask for buffs.

WikiHow

Matt had come back for a few days to assist with the arrangements, and she couldn't help noticing his relief that this phase of their existence was over, just as he seemed relieved to be going back to work once the business of the interment was over.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few assists" in sports contexts, consider specifying the type of assist (e.g., "hockey assists", "basketball assists") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few assists" when referring to general help or support. "Assists" typically imply a direct contribution to a specific outcome or goal, especially in quantifiable contexts like sports or collaborative projects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few assists" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI suggests, it refers to a small number of instances where help or support was provided, often in a quantifiable or measurable context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few assists" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a small number of contributions or supporting actions. As Ludwig AI points out, it is most common in contexts like News & Media and Wiki, with a neutral register suitable for general discussions. When using this phrase, ensure it fits the context and consider more formal alternatives like "limited support" in academic or professional writing. Remember that "assists" generally refer to direct contributions to a specific outcome, especially in measurable contexts like sports or projects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some help

Replaces "a few assists" with a more general term for assistance.

a small amount of aid

Emphasizes the limited quantity of assistance given.

limited support

Highlights the restriction in the amount of assistance provided.

minimal assistance

Underscores the very small degree of help involved.

a handful of contributions

Focuses on individual acts of helping rather than the overall concept of assistance.

a couple of supports

Uses a more colloquial term to refer to assists.

slight facilitation

Replaces "assists" with a more formal term emphasizing the ease of the action.

minor contributions

Focuses on the small level of individual contributions.

scant help

Emphasizes the insufficiency or lack of help.

restricted aid

Highlights that the aid provided is limited in scope or amount.

FAQs

How can I use "a few assists" in a sentence?

You can use "a few assists" to describe a situation where someone provided minor help or support. For example, "The project succeeded thanks to "a few assists" from the team members".

What's a good alternative to "a few assists"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "some help", "limited support", or "minimal assistance".

Is it appropriate to use "a few assists" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a few assists" may sound informal in some contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "minor contributions" or "limited support" for a more professional tone.

In sports, what exactly constitutes "a few assists"?

In sports, "a few assists" indicates a small number of actions that directly contributed to a teammate scoring or achieving a goal. The exact number considered "a few" can vary by sport and level of play.