a few crates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few crates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of crates, typically in contexts involving shipping, storage, or inventory. Example: "The warehouse received a few crates of supplies that need to be unpacked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

OK, so there are actually only a couple of guys intermittently filling a few crates, but it's still distracting bustle on an unprecedented scale.

The Guardian - Sport

THE last bottle of holiday wine has been drunk, the discarded Christmas trees have been pulped to mulch and my local farmers' market has shrunk to a few crates of muddy roots and yellowing kale.

The New York Times - Food

Its system of distribution, which moves the sugary drink from bottling plants deep into slums and the bush a few crates at a time, may employ around 1m Africans.

The Economist

Ross and his team mustered at the south end of the Great Lawn and mounted the R2, along with a few crates of monitors and computers, on the bed of a Central Park Conservancy pickup truck.

The New Yorker

One developer in Massachusetts plans to install freight farms on three acres of an abandoned strip mall – farming a few crates himself and renting the rest to others – instead of putting in new stores.

The Guardian

The only thing missing from Jim Florio's campaign headquarters here -- packed with boxes of political posters and telephone banks filled with volunteers -- are a few crates of dynamite sticks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Even if it means stealing a few crates-worth and dumping them into the bay".

TechCrunch

On a Saturday in January 1996, Gavin coded the "crates" while Rubin modeled a few basic crates and an exploding TNT crate and drew quick textures.

Wikipedia

(A few thousand crates of less illustrious treasures were left on a dock in Nanjing).

The New York Times

And there is a neighborhood convenience store, transformed each evening into a sort of Guatemalan speakeasy, where men stroll past the counter and behind a blue plastic curtain to a small room where a few milk crates serve as barstools.

The New York Times

Only a few smashed crates and some lettuce leaves rolling over in the wind remained to suggest what an intensity of activity had been here, and looking around the deserted streets, you'd have sworn nothing had happened here since the Allies raced through in the spring of '44.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few crates", ensure the context clearly establishes what the crates contain. This provides more specific and engaging information for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "few crates" when you mean "a few crates". "Few" implies a scarcity or near absence, while "a few" indicates a small but present quantity. Using "few" incorrectly can change the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few crates" primarily functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies the quantity of "crates", indicating a small, indefinite number. Ludwig examples show it used to describe physical objects being moved, stored, or sold.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

17%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few crates" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for indicating a small quantity of crates. It functions as a determiner phrase, offering a sense of scale without being overly precise. While its usage is relatively uncommon, the phrase appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, be mindful of the distinction between "few" and "a few" to accurately convey the intended meaning. Alternatives such as "several boxes" or "a couple of crates" can provide greater specificity when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several boxes

Emphasizes a small but indefinite number of boxes, similar to crates.

a couple of crates

Specifies the quantity as two crates.

a handful of crates

Implies a small, manageable number of crates.

a limited number of crates

Highlights the restriction on the quantity of crates.

a small stack of crates

Focuses on the arrangement and quantity of the crates.

a scattering of crates

Suggests the crates are spread out and not numerous.

a sparse collection of crates

Emphasizes the smallness and incompleteness of the collection.

some crates

A more general term that simply means a small, unspecified quantity of crates.

a few containers

Broader term that includes crates but may refer to other types of containers.

minimal crates

Highlights the limited quantity and essential nature of the crates.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few crates" to describe a small quantity of items packed in crates, such as "The movers loaded "a few crates" onto the truck".

What is the difference between "a few crates" and "few crates"?

"A few crates" indicates a small number of crates that is enough for a particular purpose. "Few crates" suggests that the number of crates is so small as to be almost negligible.

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

Alternatives include "several boxes", "a couple of crates", or "a handful of crates", depending on the desired level of precision.

Is "a few crates" formal or informal language?

"A few crates" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and overall tone of the communication.