a few cheese

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few cheese" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "a few pieces of cheese"? You can use the corrected phrase when referring to a small quantity of cheese, typically in a context involving food or serving sizes. Example: "For the appetizer, I would like a few pieces of cheese on my plate, please."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Food

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I like to have a few cheese or charcuterie options in the fridge for this portion of the meal also.

The New York Times - Food

It consisted of a few cheese balls (dumplings formed with ground-up potatoes, carrots and cauliflower, bound into bland white cheese) in a devastatingly tasty creamy almond sauce.

The New York Times

Reckon on a 40-minute aperitivo session before you all sit down, and give them something to pick on while they drink: anchovies on toast, say, or a few cheese straws.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It started with a few cheese and crackers and a little wine, but it's evolved to about one-third literary and two-thirds culinary," said Erasmus Struglia, an 89-year-old resident of Washington, who founded the club seven years ago.

The New York Times

Yes please Tangometassles that would be nice with a few cheese straws on the side.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She has only a small counter with a few cheeses but each is a star.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After about a year, I started selling a few cheeses at north London farmers' markets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Old-time gourmet shops sold caviar, foie gras and a few cheeses," Mr. Sickles said.

The New York Times

Freezer and refrigerator cases display a few cheeses (goat, sheep and cow), several types of sausages and hams from Chaves, the owner's hometown, just south of the border with Spain.

The New York Times

But in March, the chain pulled all but a few cheeses off its shelves.

Los Angeles Times

Or summer in France: a few cheeses, great bread, charcuterie, omelettes.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always specify the unit when referring to countable quantities of "cheese". Use "a few slices of cheese", "a few blocks of cheese", or "a few pieces of cheese" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "a few cheese" without specifying what kind of portions you're referring to. Always clarify if you mean slices, blocks, or any other unit to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few cheese" primarily functions as a quantifier followed by a noun. However, it is grammatically incorrect as it lacks a proper unit of measurement for the uncountable noun "cheese". Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical issue.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a few cheese" aims to denote a small quantity of cheese, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "a few pieces of cheese" or other similar phrases to ensure accuracy. Its usage is mostly confined to informal contexts within news and lifestyle content. To maintain clarity and grammatical precision, always specify the unit of measurement when referring to cheese. Remember that while you may come across this phrase it is preferable to use phrases like "some cheese" or "a bit of cheese".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A few pieces of cheese

Adds "pieces of" to make the phrase grammatically correct and specific.

A small amount of cheese

More formal and precise way to express a limited quantity.

A bit of cheese

Indicates a small quantity of cheese, similar in meaning.

Some cheese

A more general term indicating an unspecified amount of cheese.

A couple of cheeses

Suggests two or a small number of different cheeses.

A selection of cheeses

Implies a variety of cheese types, still a limited quantity.

Several cheeses

Suggests more than a couple but still not many cheeses.

A handful of cheese

Indicates an amount that can be held in one hand.

Small cheese portions

Focuses on the serving size of the cheese.

Limited cheese offerings

Refers to a small range or selection of cheeses available.

FAQs

Why is "a few cheese" grammatically incorrect?

"Cheese" is generally considered an uncountable noun, so it needs a unit of measurement. To indicate a small quantity, you should say "a few pieces of cheese" or similar phrases.

What are some correct alternatives to "a few cheese"?

You can use alternatives like "some cheese", "a bit of cheese", or "a small amount of cheese" depending on the context.

In what contexts can I use "a few cheese"?

While grammatically incorrect, you might encounter "a few cheese" in informal contexts. However, it's best to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives in writing and formal speech.

Is there a difference between "a few cheeses" and "a few pieces of cheese"?

"A few cheeses" implies different types of cheese, while "a few pieces of cheese" refers to several portions of the same or different types of cheese.