a few dollars

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few dollars" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific, but not a large, amount of money. For example: I only had a few dollars in my wallet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The winner collected a few dollars.

The New Yorker

For a Few Dollars More 115.

Independent

His wallet held only a few dollars.

The New York Times

"But killing someone for a few dollars?

The New York Times

That's worth losing a few dollars".

The New York Times - Magazine

(I use "a few dollars" advisedly).

The New York Times - Food

"If it costs a few dollars, it costs a few dollars".

The New York Times

He wanted to give away a few dollars of it.

The New Yorker

So there's quite a few dollars in that, you clown!

The Guardian

Donations ranged from a few dollars to thousands.

The New York Times

HD movies cost a few dollars more to rent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few dollars" when you want to indicate a relatively small and unspecified amount of money, avoiding precision.

Common error

Avoid using "a few dollars" when the amount is more substantial than it seems. Be mindful of context; what seems insignificant to one person might be a lot to another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few dollars" functions as a determiner phrase quantifying a small, indefinite amount of money. It is typically used as an adjectival modifier preceding a noun. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few dollars" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate a small, unspecified amount of money. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, its informality should be considered in professional settings. To ensure clear communication, it is crucial to evaluate the audience and communication goals. In some cases, it will be useful to replace with alternatives that are more accurate or professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small sum of money

Emphasizes the modest quantity of money involved.

a handful of dollars

Conveys a sense of a limited number of dollars.

a modest amount of money

Highlights the unassuming and not extravagant nature of the sum.

a couple of bucks

An informal way to refer to a small number of dollars.

a negligible amount

Focuses on the insignificance of the monetary value.

a trifling sum

Indicates that the money is of little importance or value.

pocket change

Suggests the money is readily available and not a significant expense.

a bit of cash

Uses the general term 'cash' to refer to a small quantity of money.

a small fortune

Emphasizes the ironic perspective regarding financial resources.

some spare change

Suggests the money is extra and not essential.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few dollars" to indicate a small amount of money. For example, "I only need "a few dollars" to buy a coffee."

What's a more formal way to say "a few dollars"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a small amount of money" or "a modest sum".

Is it appropriate to use "a few dollars" in business writing?

While "a few dollars" is generally understood, business writing often benefits from more precise language. Specify the exact amount when possible, or use "a small investment" depending on the context.

What are some informal alternatives to "a few dollars"?

Informally, you could say "a couple of bucks", "pocket change", or "some spare change".