a few choose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few choose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of people making a selection or decision. Example: "In the survey, a few choose to participate in the additional study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Some other factors may account for why only a few choose to do so.

The New York Times

In Australia, where people are already able to withdraw lump sums easily, recent evidence suggests that most retirees invest the money or use it to clear debts, but a few choose to buy holidays or cars.

BBC

Anyone can do it, but only a few choose to do it.

Huffington Post

Good news is you can pick from a few, choose a table and share.

Huffington Post

"When facing a common civil dispute (in this case, an unpaid debt), most people in Finland, regardless of their socio-economic status, tend to use formal dispute-resolution channels, while only a few choose to take no action.

Huffington Post

That intensity continues through "World O' Darkness" ("Some sons dream of leaving while they're young at heart, a few choose the path to war, it's the land beyond the dark"), and also through "Be What You Must" whose intro cops, note-for-note, Catch Bull At Four's "Sitting".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Most worked in a group, but a few chose to work alone.

The New York Times

Gone are the grid layouts with dozens of pairs of shoes in favor of a few chosen styles.

The New York Times

Here in California, I have tried to recreate a sense of extended family with a few chosen loyal friends.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In response, Washington talked about conducting more military operations on its own, or with a few chosen allies.

The New York Times

But that would necessarily mean excluding those companies' competitors, and essentially subsidising the growth of a few chosen firms.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few choose", ensure the context clearly indicates the larger group from which the few are making a selection. For example, "Many students applied, but a few choose to pursue advanced research."

Common error

Avoid using "a few choose" when the group being selected from is already small, as it can sound redundant. For instance, instead of saying "Of the three candidates, a few choose to withdraw", consider "One candidate chose to withdraw" to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few choose" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating that a limited number of entities are performing the action of choosing. It's commonly used to express a minority preference or decision, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

22%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few choose" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that a small number of individuals are making a particular selection or decision. Ludwig AI indicates that it's most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While the phrase is neutrally formal, it's crucial to use it appropriately, ensuring it accurately reflects the scope and scale of the selection being described. Alternatives like "some opt" or "a handful select" can provide nuanced variations to suit specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some opt

Replaces "a few" with "some", implying a similar but slightly less specific quantity making a choice.

a handful select

Substitutes "a few" with "a handful", suggesting a small group, and "choose" with "select", conveying a formal tone.

several decide

Replaces "a few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger number making a decision.

certain ones prefer

Uses "certain ones" instead of "a few", emphasizing that specific individuals favor something.

some people elect

Emphasizes the human element and replaces "choose" with "elect", suggesting a more formal selection.

a minority pick

Highlights that only a small proportion make a selection.

only a small number go for

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey that very few people make a particular choice.

just a couple of individuals take

Emphasizes the small number of people involved and the action they undertake.

a small portion settle on

Highlights a limited group that concludes with an alternative.

not many go with

Emphasizes the limited count of individuals and indicates that they choose a particular choice.

FAQs

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

Use "a few choose" to indicate that a small number of individuals are making a selection or decision from a larger group. For example, "Most students major in business, but "a few choose" the arts".

What are some alternatives to "a few choose"?

You can use alternatives like "some opt", "a handful select", or "several decide" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a few chooses" instead of "a few choose"?

No, "a few chooses" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""a few choose"" because "few" is plural, and the verb should agree with the plural subject.

What's the difference between "a few choose" and "few choose"?

"A few choose" indicates a small number making a selection, while "few choose" suggests that almost no one is making that choice. The article "a" adds a sense of some, whereas without it, it emphasizes scarcity.