a few contributors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few contributors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of people who have contributed to a project, discussion, or piece of work. Example: "The report was compiled with input from a few contributors who provided valuable insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They also shared a few contributors.

The New Yorker

A few contributors of note include, Andy Rooney and John Kenneth Galbraith.

Columbia University

I suspect these words may chime with a few contributors on last week's Reading Group thread.

The Guardian - Books

A roundup of things our editors — and a few contributors — are excited about in a given week.

The New York Times

The site is clearly a work in progress: while it publishes new articles each day, they come from only a few contributors.

The New York Times

Quite a few contributors to these discussions share our concern that not enough emphasis is being placed on physical exam skills.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In July, Style.com introduced a global network of 62 unpaid fashion contributors from 33 cities to chronicle their fashion choices and include a few celebrity contributors, like Courtney Love and Kylie Minogue.

The New York Times

Along with the new co-anchors for the newscast, CBS identified a few regular contributors.

The New York Times

A few young contributors sounded an exuberant note about potential development: There are so many incredible opportunities arising in new fields.

The New York Times

While the sound of the main organ at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian has only a few digital contributors salted in among the regulars, the antiphonal division -- the main organ accompaniment sitting at the rear of the hall -- is now entirely digital.

The New York Times - Tech

Unlike some previous music directors, he seems to be coming to the job with a bank account of player goodwill to draw on, not merely with the approval of a few rich contributors.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing "a few contributors" in close proximity within your writing; vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Don't downplay the value of "a few contributors" simply because the number is small. Their contributions may be critical or disproportionately impactful. Acknowledge their specific input.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few contributors" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, modifying the noun "contributors". It indicates a limited quantity of people who have contributed to something, functioning as a subject or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few contributors" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a small number of individuals who have contributed to something. It's applicable across various contexts, including news, academic research, and general discussions. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and readily usable. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the nature of their contributions. While generally neutral in tone, remember that the term "few" can sometimes imply a small or insignificant number, so use it judiciously. Remember to vary the language to maintain reader engagement. Alternative formulations such as "several participants", or "some authors", and "handful of people involved" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several participants

Replaces "a few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger, though still limited, number of individuals involved.

some authors

Substitutes "contributors" with "authors", specifying the role of those involved in creating content.

a handful of people involved

Uses "a handful" to convey a small quantity and specifies their involvement.

a limited number of participants

Emphasizes the restriction on the number of individuals taking part.

a select group of individuals

Highlights the choosiness or special nature of the contributing group.

certain members

Implies that contributors are part of a larger set and only specific members contributed.

some key players

Emphasizes the importance of those contributing.

a small team

Replaces contributors with a team, implying collaboration and shared goals.

a minority of participants

Highlights that only a small portion of potential contributors actually participated.

not many stakeholders

Highlights scarcity, suggesting that the phrase is used to indicate that few stakeholders contributed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few contributors" to describe a small number of people who have added to something, like "The project benefited from the insights of "a few contributors"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a few contributors"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "several participants", "some authors", or "a handful of people involved".

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

"A few contributors" indicates a small but positive number, whereas "few contributors" suggests that the number is so small it's almost negligible or disappointing. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

What's the difference between "a few contributors" and "some contributors"?

"A few contributors" generally implies a smaller number than "some contributors". While both indicate an indefinite quantity, ""a few contributors"" emphasizes the limited scale of participation.