a few courses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few courses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of courses, typically in an educational context. Example: "I have decided to take a few courses this semester to enhance my skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(He dropped a few courses deemed unacceptable).

The New Yorker

A few courses later comes tempura.

The New York Times - Food

She also took a few courses at Columbia University.

Britannica

A few courses later, our hostess dashes over with brandies.

The Telegraph

A few courses may consider applicants past that date.

Princeton University

Note that a few courses appear in multiple depth areas.

Columbia University

And students who complete only a few courses would get a certificate.

The New York Times

Only a few courses of study are considered lucrative career paths.

The New York Times

As for her mother, she took a few courses at St. Francis this summer.

The New York Times

Except for Cambridge, these universities asked for the top grade only for a few courses.

The Guardian

It will offer a few courses in international studies for 30 sophomores, all from Dwight Morrow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few courses", ensure the context clearly indicates what those courses pertain to. For example, specify the subject or level of the courses for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few courses" without providing context, as it can lead to ambiguity. Always specify the subject or department to ensure clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few courses" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "courses". It specifies the quantity of courses being referred to. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples of the phrase used in academic, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few courses" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a small number of academic courses. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various domains, including academia, news, and science. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts. Common errors involve vagueness, so it's important to specify the subject or level of the courses when using the phrase. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several courses

Replaces "a few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger but still indefinite number.

a couple of courses

Substitutes "a few" with "a couple", specifying exactly two courses.

some courses

Uses "some" instead of "a few", providing a more general and less specific quantity.

a limited number of courses

Replaces "a few" with a more formal phrase emphasizing the restricted quantity.

a small selection of courses

Highlights that the courses are part of a selection and limited in number.

a handful of courses

Employs the idiom "a handful" to convey a small and easily manageable quantity.

certain courses

Indicates that specific courses are being referred to, though the number remains unspecified.

a minority of courses

Emphasizes that the courses constitute a small portion of a larger set.

a restricted set of courses

Indicates that the courses available are limited and defined.

selective courses

Stresses that the courses are not universally available and are chosen based on specific criteria.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few courses" to describe the number of classes you are taking, such as "I am taking "a few courses" this semester" or "She completed "a few courses" at the local college".

What are some alternatives to saying "a few courses"?

Instead of saying "a few courses", you could use alternatives like "several courses", "a couple of courses", or "some courses" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "few courses" instead of "a few courses"?

While "few courses" is grammatically correct, it implies a sense of scarcity or that the number of courses is surprisingly low. "A few courses" is more neutral and simply indicates a small number.

What's the difference between "a few courses" and "many courses"?

"A few courses" indicates a small number, typically less than five. "Many courses" suggests a large number, implying a significant commitment or a broad range of subjects studied.