a few hostels

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few hostels" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of hostels, typically in the context of travel or accommodation. Example: "During my trip to Europe, I stayed at a few hostels to meet other travelers and save money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Though there are a few hostels in the village center, most visitors rent homes from locals like Santiago.

The New York Times

I'd suggest researching a few hostels and contacting them ahead of time to see if an arrangement could be worked out.

The New York Times - Travel

Now if you are really on a budget, there are a few hostels in Waikiki.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

With the exception of a few backpacker hostels (which ask about $37 a night for a dorm room), the pay checks of most workers would fail to cover a stay in the remaining hotels.

The Guardian

Between the two of us, there were blisters galore (despite having followed all the preventive and/or curative advice), a plaguing knee and ankle issue, some material carnage due to a raging storm, some very hot days, and a few "dive" hostels in the mix.

Huffington Post

In addition to hotels, Seattle has a few youth hostels and several AirBNB rentals.

WikiHow

There are very few hostels in the town, Hostel Fiesta being one of the few, so book your rooms in advance.

The Guardian - Travel

In Bagan, few hostels have more than one guest, tour guides say they haven't had a client in months and at the most celebrated temples there is a frantic edge to the hawkers as they plead for custom from the occasional visitor.

The Guardian

Over subsequent decades, a few pioneers opened hostels or bed-and-breakfasts, mostly to serve venturesome Europeans.

The New York Times

Fighting the Scourge An integrated water and food safety programme is now being advocated and implemented by UNICEF in Madhya Pradesh in a few selected Ashrams (hostels for school-going children) in the Rama Block of Jhabua district.

Unicef

After a few months, a hostel put him in contact with Gordon Moody.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning a trip, use "a few hostels" to indicate you're considering a small number of budget-friendly accommodation options without being overly specific.

Common error

Avoid using "a few hostels" when you're referring to all hostels in a region. Be specific about the scope you're discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few hostels" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "hostels". It specifies a quantity of hostels, indicating a small but indefinite number. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few hostels" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a small number of hostels. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It's suitable for various contexts, particularly in travel-related discussions and planning. When using this phrase, consider the level of specificity required and whether alternatives like "several hostels" or "a couple of hostels" might be more appropriate. While generally neutral, be mindful of overgeneralizing and ensure the scope of your reference is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several hostels

Indicates more than two but not a large number of hostels; slightly more formal.

a couple of hostels

Refers to exactly two hostels; more specific in number.

some hostels

A less precise way of indicating a small, unspecified number of hostels.

a handful of hostels

Implies a small and easily manageable number of hostels.

a limited number of hostels

Emphasizes that the quantity of hostels is restricted.

a small selection of hostels

Highlights the idea of choosing from a reduced group of hostels.

a few backpacker accommodations

Focuses on the type of accommodation rather than just the number of hostels.

a scattering of hostels

Suggests hostels are sparsely located in a particular area.

a sprinkling of hostels

Similar to "a scattering", implying a wider and less dense distribution.

a minority of hostels

Implies that the hostels represent a smaller portion compared to other types of lodging.

FAQs

How to use "a few hostels" in a sentence?

You can use "a few hostels" to describe a small number of budget accommodations you plan to stay at, such as: "During my backpacking trip, I stayed at "a few hostels" to save money."

What can I say instead of "a few hostels"?

You can use alternatives like "several hostels", "a couple of hostels", or "some hostels" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a few hostels" or "few hostels"?

"A few hostels" implies a small but positive number, while "few hostels" suggests a scarcity or near absence. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

Is "a few hostels" formal or informal?

"A few hostels" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts, such as travel blogs or casual conversations. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "several accommodations".