a few emergencies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few emergencies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of unexpected and urgent situations that require immediate attention. Example: "Due to a few emergencies that arose last week, our project deadline has been pushed back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Since it was established after the 1973-74 oilC oil embargo, it has been used in only a few emergencies, like the buildup to the first Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Carmine Cardone, the executive director of the Waterfront Commission, said that in the past the industry had to wait until there was a labor shortage on the docks and then petition the commission for the authority to hire a few emergency or temporary workers.

The New York Times

Therefore, we concluded that Algorithm I could effectively solve the problem of reprogramming a few emergency tasks with high priority.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

A few emergency medicine (EM) residency programs have sprouted over the last two decades in renowned academic institutions in the largest cities, producing high-quality EM specialists.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

A few emergency rescues had to be made during the storm but no injuries took place.

Wikipedia

ThIs article originally appeared on VICE Indonesia.

Vice

But elsewhere in the country, all but a few emergency doctors and hospital administrators see things differently.

Huffington Post

Starting on November 4, the Pentagon is teaming up with a few hundred ham radio operators to practice a few emergency procedures, just as it has every year since 2013.

Vice

Always send a spare change of clothes, some wipes, and a few emergency diapers or training pants with your child whenever they are away from home.

WikiHow

On the days when you feel frazzled and just can't seem to hang on to your real self, have a few emergency strategies ready to go.

WikiHow

Some emergency measures you can take when you feel lost include: On the days when you feel frazzled and just can't seem to hang on to your real self, have a few emergency strategies ready to go.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few emergencies", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes an emergency. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few emergencies" when referring to minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations that genuinely require immediate and critical attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few emergencies" functions as a noun phrase acting as an object or subject complement, specifying a limited quantity of urgent events. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

26%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few emergencies" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote a small number of urgent situations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts. It's crucial to reserve this phrase for genuinely critical events and to maintain clarity by specifying what constitutes an emergency in the given context. Alternatives like "several crises" or "some urgent situations" can be considered based on the specific nuance you aim to convey. The phrase sees common usage in news and media, scientific publications, and wiki sources, reflecting its wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several crises

Replaces "few" with "several", emphasizing a slightly larger, but still limited, number of critical events.

some urgent situations

Substitutes "emergencies" with the more general "urgent situations", broadening the scope slightly.

a handful of critical incidents

Uses "handful" for emphasis on the small quantity and "critical incidents" to specify the severity of the events.

limited number of urgent cases

More formal alternative, suitable for professional contexts.

a couple of urgent matters

Using "a couple of" suggests an even smaller number of events than "a few".

some pressing needs

Focuses on the requirements arising from the emergencies, shifting the emphasis.

isolated incidents

Highlights the separated and infrequent nature of the emergency events.

a sprinkling of crises

Employs figurative language to convey the small number and scattered nature of the emergencies.

occasional critical events

Replaces "a few" with "occasional", focusing on the infrequency of the emergencies.

certain pressing issues

Swaps out “emergencies” for “pressing issues,” broadening the context from immediate emergencies to more general concerns needing attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few emergencies" to describe a small number of urgent situations. For example, "Due to "a few emergencies" that arose, the project was delayed."

What's a good alternative to "a few emergencies"?

Alternatives include "several crises", "some urgent situations", or "a handful of critical incidents", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "a few emergencies" in formal writing?

Yes, "a few emergencies" is generally acceptable in formal writing, although alternatives like "limited number of urgent cases" may sound more professional in some contexts.

What distinguishes "a few emergencies" from "many emergencies"?

"A few emergencies" indicates a small, manageable number of urgent situations. "Many emergencies", on the other hand, suggests a larger, potentially overwhelming number of critical events.