a few cents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few cents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of money, typically in the context of prices or costs. Example: "The item costs a few cents more than I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Making the next pill costs only a few cents.

The Economist

Egypt keeps bread prices at a few cents a loaf.

The Economist

The amounts vary from a few cents to several euros.

The Guardian - Tech

Sometimes the donations were only a few cents.

The New Yorker

Cooked caterpillars go for a few cents each.

The New York Times - Science

"We made only a few cents a gallon".

The New York Times

And we're not talking a few cents here.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Sometimes we only had a few cents to our name.

The New York Times - Arts

Customers can top up their credit, in amounts as small as a few cents.

Yale University

Why replace a transistor, which costs a few cents, with a component that may cost several dollars?

Op Amps for Everyone

The atlal were the orphaned boy who had been selling plastic bags for a few cents.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few cents", ensure the context clearly conveys that you are referring to a very small amount of money. This phrase is effective for highlighting the affordability or insignificance of a cost.

Common error

Avoid using "a few cents" when describing costs that, while small, are still significant to the budget or context being discussed. This phrase can minimize an expense inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few cents" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It describes a very small monetary amount. Ludwig AI highlights the phrase's common usage in discussing prices and costs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few cents" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a very small amount of money. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, from news and media to academic discussions, to emphasize affordability or the insignificance of a cost. While generally neutral in register, care should be taken to avoid downplaying costs that are significant to the context. Alternatives like "a small amount" or "virtually nothing" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

next to nothing

Indicates the cost is very close to zero.

virtually nothing

Emphasizes the extremely low value or cost involved.

a small sum

Replaces "few cents" with a more general term for a small amount of money.

a pittance

Highlights that a sum of money is extremely small or inadequate.

a trifling amount

Emphasizes the insignificance of the monetary value.

a negligible cost

Focuses on the minimal expense involved.

a modest price

Highlights the low price of something.

a minor expense

Indicates that the expenditure is small and not significant.

a bit of change

Implies loose coins or a very small amount of money.

a peppercorn fee

Uses a more formal or legalistic term for a very small payment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few cents" to describe a very low cost or price, as in "The candy only costs "a few cents" each".

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

Alternatives include "a small amount", "a negligible cost", or "virtually nothing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "a few cents"?

Yes, avoid using "a few cents" when the actual cost, while seemingly small, represents a significant portion of someone's budget or has a cumulative impact. In those cases, it can downplay the real financial burden.

What is the difference between "a few cents" and "a couple of cents"?

"A few cents" implies a slightly larger, yet still very small, unspecified amount, whereas "a couple of cents" specifically means two cents. The choice depends on the level of precision you want to convey.