a few find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few find" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the opinions or experiences of a small number of people regarding a particular subject or situation. Example: "In the survey, a few find the new policy beneficial, while others disagree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A few find themselves entangled in jargon.

The Guardian

A few find it insular and cultish.

The New York Times

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it".

The New Yorker

Most of the dropouts end up working alongside their parents, but a few find their ways into gangs, he said.

The New York Times

A few find that the expertise they've acquired working in industry makes them attractive to academic institutions.

Science Magazine

Studies that only use OLS tend to find that the obese are penalized in the labor market in terms of both wages and employment (e.g. Pagán & Dávila [1997]; Garcia and Quintana-Domeque [2006]; Klarenback et al. [2006]), but a few find no effect (Lundborg et al. [2007]; Johansson et al. [2009]).

IZA Journal of Migration

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

And inevitably, a few found sad fates.

The New York Times

A few found a memorable place in theater history.

The New York Times

(A few found that mothers actually did better with forceps).

The New Yorker

If Sundance was a lesson in diminished expectations for most, a few found reason to exult.

The New York Times

A few found to be underweight are given Ensure, an enriched drink.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few find", ensure the context clearly indicates what the "few" are discovering or realizing to avoid ambiguity. This phrase is best used when emphasizing that the finding is not universal but specific to a subset.

Common error

Avoid using "a few find" when the finding is actually widely accepted or common. This phrase is specifically for situations where the discovery or realization is limited to a small group, not a widespread consensus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few find" functions as a subject-verb construction, where "a few" acts as a determiner and subject, and "find" is the verb. It indicates that a limited number of individuals or entities discover, realize, or experience something. Ludwig provides various examples showcasing this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few find" is grammatically correct and serves to indicate that a limited number of individuals or entities share a specific opinion or experience. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical validity and provides context for its usage. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, followed by science and encyclopedias. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the context accurately reflects the non-universal nature of the finding being described. While versatile, avoiding overgeneralization when using "a few find" will maximize clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some discover

Replaces "find" with "discover", focusing on the act of uncovering something.

a handful perceive

Substitutes "a few" with "a handful" and "find" with "perceive", emphasizing a small quantity and their understanding.

certain individuals locate

Uses "certain individuals" instead of "a few" and "locate" to replace "find", providing a more formal tone.

some encounter

Employs "encounter" instead of "find", highlighting an experience or situation that is met.

a minority realize

Replaces "a few" with "a minority" and "find" with "realize", emphasizing a small group coming to an understanding.

several identify

Uses "several" in place of "a few" and "identify" instead of "find", indicating a slightly larger number recognizing something.

a small number ascertain

Replaces "a few" with "a small number" and "find" with "ascertain", offering a more precise and formal alternative.

some determine

Substitutes "find" with "determine", focusing on the act of figuring something out.

a select few unearth

Replaces "find" with "unearth", implying the discovery of something hidden or not easily found.

a scattering notice

Uses "a scattering" to replace "a few" and "notice" instead of "find", suggesting a dispersed group observing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few find" to indicate that a small number of people share a particular opinion or experience, such as, "In the study, a few find the results surprising."

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

Alternatives include "some discover", "a handful perceive", or "a minority realize" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a few find" in formal writing?

Yes, "a few find" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider alternatives like "a small number ascertain" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "a few find" and "many find"?

"A few find" indicates that only a small number of people share a particular opinion or experience, while "many find" suggests that the opinion or experience is more widespread. The choice depends on the actual proportion you want to describe.