a few functional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few functional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of items or elements that are operational or effective in a particular context. Example: "In our analysis, we found that a few functional prototypes were able to meet the required specifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

A few functional neuroimaging studies have shown that expert chess players recruit different psychological functions and activate different brain areas while they are engaged in chess-related activities.

Neuropsychologia

Rather, these commonalities indicate that a few functional patterns based on common chemistry are used over and over again by the living cell.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several hundred QTLs for root traits (mainly structural and a few functional) have been identified and compiled for the identification of meta-QTLs (Courtois et al. [2009]; Khowaja et al. [2009]).

Rice

Below we highlight a few functional examples of SOX2 in cancer before we review the latest SOX2 research in different aspects of cancer physiology including: cellular proliferation, apoptosis and invasion/migration/metastasis.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

As you count down and head out to the desert for a weekend of scorching good times at Coachella, you'll want to pack a few functional, yet fashionable must-haves.

Huffington Post

For a few, functional data suggest their involvement in hormone or odorant processing.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Alternatively, HeT-A might have only few functional domains that are under negative selection, and all changes in the rest of the sequence that do not impede its ability to transpose at telomeres will translate into the birth of a new subfamily.

BMC Genomics

The decaying curve depicts the relationship between the number of functional families and degree of divergent evolution for a family which is best approximated by a power-law (which means few functional families undergo high degree of divergent evolution), where Y ~ X-1.7, with R2 = 0.95.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

This assumption is based on the experience that algorithmic TFBS prediction results in an unacceptable high number of hits consisting of a few true functional binding sites and numerous false non-functional binding sites [ 12].

BMC Genomics

Identification of these TFBSs is an essential step in our understanding of gene regulatory networks, but computational prediction of TFBSs with either consensus or commonly used stochastic models such as Position-Specific Scoring Matrices (PSSMs) results in an unacceptably high number of hits consisting of a few true functional binding sites and numerous false non-functional binding sites.

BMC Genomics

The Drosophila Y chromosome is a degenerated, heterochromatic chromosome with few functional genes.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few functional", ensure the context clearly establishes what 'functional' refers to. For example, "a few functional components" is more specific than just "a few functional".

Common error

Avoid using "a few functional" without specifying what is functional. It's better to clarify what aspects are functional to provide a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few functional" acts as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a limited quantity of items possessing the quality of being functional, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few functional" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to indicate a small number of items that are operational or practical. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not exceptionally common, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and general informational writing. For clarity, always specify what aspects are functional and consider alternatives like "several operational" or "a handful of effective" to adjust the emphasis as needed. Remember that specifying what makes it functional leads to clearer writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several operational

Emphasizes the working or operating aspect, replacing "few" with "several" to indicate more than just a couple.

some working

Focuses on the active state of being in operation, "some" is used instead of "a few".

a couple of practical

"Couple" specifies exactly two, while "practical" highlights usefulness rather than functionality.

a handful of effective

Implies a small quantity that is also successful in producing a desired result.

limited operational

Stresses the restricted number of things that are currently working.

a small number of viable

Highlights that only a small subset is capable of succeeding or functioning.

a select few working

Emphasizes the chosen or carefully selected nature of the few operational items.

not many operative

Indicates a low quantity of items that are actively in effect or operation.

a sparse set of effective

Highlights scarcity among those items that perform well.

just some usable

Emphasizes that only some meet the requirements to be used.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few functional" to describe a small number of items that are working or practical. For example, "Only a few functional prototypes met the project's requirements."

What are some alternatives to "a few functional"?

Alternatives include phrases like "several operational", "some working", or "a handful of effective", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a few functional" or "few functional"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a few functional" implies a slightly larger quantity than "few functional", which suggests a scarcity or near absence.

What does "functional" mean in the context of "a few functional"?

In this context, "functional" means that the items are working correctly, serving their intended purpose, or are practical and useful in a specific way. The exact meaning depends on the specific application.