a few figures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few figures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of numerical data points or statistics. Example: "In the report, we analyzed a few figures to illustrate the trends in sales over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

It names only a few figures.

The Economist

A: I'll try to give you a few figures.

The Washington Post

A few figures help explain this apparent paradox.

The Guardian

IN THE forest of statistics that describe the economy, a few figures sometimes stand out.

The Economist

Only a few figures stir in this desolation, some of them bizarre.

The New York Times - Arts

"Sea Gazers," from 1956, puts a few figures back into the mix, placing them before a soothing pool of blue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Among the 80 or so audio professionals there, these famous-to-a-few figures overshadowed two panelists with much broader name recognition: Lenny Kaye, guitarist of the Patti Smith Group, and Janie Hendrix, Jimi's stepsister.

The New York Times - Arts

Followed by a few figure-skating judges.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now can we take just a few figure shots?" I didn't understand.

The New Yorker

These included annexin A2, fibrinogen, chaperonin, heat shock protein, lamin A/C and DEAD box polypeptide 17, to name a few (Figure 7A and B).

Plosone

We have eliminated a few figure panels and moved some to the supplemental material.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few figures", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to numerical data or statistics rather than people.

Common error

Avoid using "a few figures" when referring to individuals or characters in a narrative; instead, opt for "a few people" or "several individuals" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few figures" functions as a determiner phrase quantifying numerical data or statistics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It specifies a limited amount of data within a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few figures" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to refer to a limited number of numerical data points or statistics. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct in written English and suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key to ensure the reader understands you are referencing numerical data and not, for example, people. Alternatives like "several numbers" or "a couple of statistics" may be used depending on the desired level of specificity. It's a common phrase across diverse sources, ranging from news media to academic publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several numbers

Replaces 'figures' with the more general term 'numbers'.

a couple of statistics

More specific than "a few figures", focusing on statistical data.

a handful of data points

Emphasizes the limited quantity and the nature of the items as data.

limited statistics

Highlights the limited nature of the statistical information.

some key metrics

Focuses on metrics that are important or essential.

selected values

Implies a deliberate choice of specific values.

a small amount of numerical data

A more descriptive and formal alternative.

certain values

Highlights that the values mentioned are particular or specific.

a number of values

More generic; indicates values that may or may not be numerical.

a set of statistics

Implies statistics that belong together or are related.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few figures" to refer to a small number of numerical data or statistics, as in "The report highlights "a few figures" to support its conclusions".

What phrases can I use instead of "a few figures"?

Alternatives to "a few figures" include "several numbers", "a couple of statistics", or "a handful of data points", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a few figures" when referring to people?

While "figures" can refer to people, "a few figures" typically refers to numerical data. For people, use phrases like "a few individuals" or "several people".

What is the difference between "a few figures" and "some figures"?

"A few figures" implies a smaller, more specific quantity than "some figures", which is more general and indefinite.