a few developers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few developers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of developers, typically in discussions about projects, teams, or contributions. Example: "A few developers have volunteered to help with the open-source project this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

We ourselves work with a few developers in developing countries, and for them, a lot of really positive things happen when laptop productivity is possible.

Forbes

We knew of a few developers who were looking to buy homes that were tear-downs, to develop the property into new multi-million-dollar mansions," said Parnes.

Forbes

The Flash game development community should get a boost from Adsense for Games, but a few developers have already started making money.

Forbes

A few developers are waiting for him inside, drinking already.

The Washington Post

And that, he noted, broke the hearts of a few developers.

The New York Times

Fortunately, a few developers are trying to provide more up-to-date entertainment.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Newark Police need a few developer friends who can put their data up on stat-friendly websites.

TechCrunch

While we expect a few developer announcements for the Twitter API and Fabric platform, there could also be a few new feature announcements.

TechCrunch

He is one of a very few developers whose apps will be available in GM cars.

MIT Technology Review

Some deals are being struck at 20% below advertised prices, he says, a fact few developers are keen to broadcast.

The Economist

That required applications to be recoded for the device, a task few developers outside of Microsoft attempted.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few developers", ensure the context clarifies whether the small number is significant. If precision is needed, consider specifying the exact number.

Common error

Avoid using "a few developers" when the contribution of these developers is critical to a project's success. In such cases, highlight their specific roles or expertise to avoid minimizing their importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few developers" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "developers". It specifies an indefinite but small quantity. Ludwig AI indicates that this is grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few developers" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for indicating a small number of software or application creators. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. It’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, technology, and business discussions. While alternatives like "several developers" or "some developers" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the significance of the small number and avoid using it when the developers' contributions are critically important to avoid minimizing their impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several developers

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

some developers

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

a handful of developers

Emphasizes the small quantity using the idiom "a handful", implying they are easily managed or accounted for.

a small number of developers

More formal and explicitly states the quantity as "small".

a couple of developers

Indicates exactly two developers, which is a more precise but related concept.

a limited number of developers

Highlights the restriction or constraint on the number of developers involved.

a select few developers

Suggests that the developers were chosen for a specific reason, implying exclusivity.

a minority of developers

Emphasizes that the developers represent a smaller proportion of a larger group.

certain developers

Indicates that the developers are known or specified, but not necessarily few in number.

a small team of developers

Focuses on the group as a "team", highlighting collaboration and shared purpose.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "a few developers" in a sentence?

Use "a few developers" to indicate a small, non-specific number of developers. For example, "A few developers are working on the new feature."

What can I say instead of "a few developers"?

You can use alternatives like "several developers", "some developers", or "a handful of developers depending on the context.".

Is it better to say "a few developers" or "several developers"?

Both "a few developers" and "several developers" are acceptable. "A few" suggests a smaller number than "several", so choose the phrase that best reflects the actual quantity you're describing.

When should I use "a small team of developers" instead of "a few developers"?

Use "a small team of developers" when you want to emphasize the collaborative aspect of the group, rather than just the number of individuals.