a few circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few circumstances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of specific situations or conditions that may affect a particular outcome or decision. Example: "In a few circumstances, we may need to adjust our approach to better suit the needs of our clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Only a few circumstances, like pervasive infection or active cancer, absolutely preclude organ donation, and there is no age limit.

The New York Times - Health

"Only under a few circumstances can you see that it is different than regular glass," he said.

The New York Times

Also, lenders are not obligated to grant a forbearance except in a few circumstances, like natural disasters or military mobilization.

The New York Times

A combined 58 percent of Americans stated that abortion should either be "illegal in all circumstances" or "legal in only a few circumstances".

The New York Times

Except in a few circumstances, Mr. Woloch shows, Napoleon was able to control the membership of the legislative bodies and essentially to turn them into rubber stamps.

The New York Times - Books

Ross Douthat obscures the fact that the recent Gallup poll on abortion finds that only 20 percent of Americans want abortion made illegal, while 77 percent believe that it should remain legal in all, most or a few circumstances.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The heavy machine gun is a great weapon, but only under a select few circumstances.

WikiHow

At Walmart, at other discount retailers, by shopping online at places like Amazon, and when we buy airline tickets, we continually demonstrate our love of low prices and our unwillingness to pay extra in exchange for amenities in all but a very few circumstances.

Forbes

A representative of the UK's National Childbirth Trust told the BBC that "there are very few circumstances for a woman to be medically advised not to breastfeed".

Huffington Post

There were a few unusual circumstances.

The New York Times - Sports

Just under a few different circumstances.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few circumstances" to indicate a limited number of specific situations, avoiding vagueness by providing context or examples where possible.

Common error

Avoid using "a few circumstances" without providing any clarifying details, as this can make your statement too broad and less impactful. Be specific or provide examples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few circumstances" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, specifying a limited number of conditions or situations. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few circumstances" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a limited number of specific conditions or situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's essential to provide sufficient context to avoid vagueness. For alternative expressions, consider options like "several situations" or "limited cases" to tailor the meaning to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some situations

A more general and less specific way to refer to a small number of cases.

several situations

Emphasizes a slightly larger number of occurrences than "a few circumstances".

specific contexts

Focuses on the environment or background in which the events occur.

limited cases

Highlights the restriction or infrequency of the events.

certain instances

Focuses on specific occurrences or events, implying a degree of selection.

particular conditions

Highlights specific requirements or prerequisites that must be met.

exceptional cases

Emphasizes the rarity and unusual nature of the occurrences.

select scenarios

Implies that the situations have been carefully chosen or are distinct.

isolated incidents

Suggests that the occurrences are rare and not part of a larger pattern.

rare occasions

Stresses the infrequency and uniqueness of the events.

FAQs

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

Use "a few circumstances" to refer to a limited number of specific situations or conditions. For example, "In "a few circumstances", adjustments to the project timeline might be necessary."

What are some alternatives to "a few circumstances"?

You can use alternatives like "several situations", "limited cases", or "certain instances" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a few circumstances" or "some circumstances"?

"A few circumstances" implies a smaller and more specific number compared to "some circumstances", which is more general. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of specificity you intend to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a few circumstances" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you need to acknowledge that something is possible but not common. Make sure to provide enough context to clarify which situations you are referring to, or the phrase can become too vague.