a few contracts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few contracts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a small number of contracts, typically in a business or legal context. Example: "The company has secured a few contracts for the upcoming fiscal year, which will help boost revenue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Last year, I sent out quite a few contracts that never came back," she said.

The New York Times

Ms. Ferraz said she already had to terminate a few contracts, adding, "I don't want half-hearted bloggers on F*Hits".

The New York Times

We had launched in March 2008 and we entered into a few contracts, then in September of that year the bottom collapsed.

The New York Times

A few contracts have already been signed, said Will Zeckendorf, even though the bulding's in-house sales office will not open till September.

The New York Times

I lost money on a few contracts, nothing too significant, but enough so that for the first time I began to doubt myself.

The New York Times - Magazine

Priced from $713,000 to $3.7 million, the units went on sale in October, though "only a few contracts have gone out".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The company started in 1995 with one employee and a few contract workers, and it has since grown to a staff of 56, 35 of whom are involved directly in R&D.

Science Magazine

Walgreen witnessed a decline in its pharmacy margin last quarter mainly on account of increased third-party reimbursement pressure (particularly due to a few contract step downs), higher 90-day prescriptions at retail, fewer generic drug introductions and a larger than expected generic drug inflation.

Forbes

A few contracted AIDS.

Huffington Post

A few Contracting Parties from Africa, Asia and Near East may be listed in different regional groups.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

A few privatisation contracts involve huge sums.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few contracts", ensure the context clarifies the significance of this quantity. Is it a positive increase, a disappointing decrease, or simply a neutral statement of fact?

Common error

Avoid implying that "a few contracts" represents a major achievement if it's not substantial. Provide context to accurately reflect its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few contracts" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "contracts". It indicates a quantity that is more than one but not many. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few contracts" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a small number of agreements. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows for use in varied contexts, ranging from news reports to business discussions. While the quantity is not precisely defined, it suggests more than one but fewer than several. When using the phrase, ensure clarity and context to avoid misinterpretations regarding the significance of "a few" contracts. Alternatives like "several agreements" or "a couple of contracts" offer nuanced substitutes depending on the desired level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several agreements

Uses a synonym for 'contracts' and a more general term for 'few'.

a few agreements

Alternative using the word "agreements" instead of "contracts".

a couple of contracts

Specifies a slightly smaller quantity than "a few".

some contracts

A more general way to indicate an indefinite number of contracts.

a handful of contracts

Implies a small, manageable number of contracts.

limited number of contracts

More formal way of expressing a small quantity of contracts.

a small number of contracts

More descriptive and slightly more formal.

limited contracts

Shortens the phrase while retaining the idea of a restricted quantity.

multiple contracts

Uses another way to indicate more than one contract but not a huge number.

some deals

Uses "deals" in place of "contracts" to convey a similar meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few contracts" to indicate that a company or individual has obtained a small number of agreements. For example, "The company secured "a few contracts" in the last quarter, boosting revenue slightly."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "several agreements", "a couple of contracts", or "some contracts".

Is it better to say "a few contracts" or "few contracts"?

"A few contracts" indicates a small but positive number, whereas "few contracts" implies a scarcity or lack. The best choice depends on the intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "a handful of contracts" instead of "a few contracts"?

"A handful of contracts" suggests a very small, easily manageable number, while "a few contracts" is slightly more general. Use "a handful" when emphasizing the smallness and manageability.