a few individuals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a few individuals' is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as: "A few individuals have been identified as key players in the success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I met a few last week.

The New York Times

"But we saw a few today".

The New Yorker

There've been quite a few this year.

Princeton University

The Ge incorporation level inside the 4H-SiC matrix, ranging from a few 1017 to a few 1018 at.

Acta Materialia

Even Wayne Chrebet tried a few last week.

The New York Times - Sports

I've made a few this year.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Boal has allowed a few post-1903 featoremain remain.

The New York Times - Arts

A few 2016 campaign news items from the past week.

The Washington Post

Here are a few summer facts about the state.

The New York Times

In summer 2017, they saw a huge bloom within just a few July days.

Columbia University

Pores sizes in shales normally range from a few nanometres to a few microns28,31.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few individuals" when you want to emphasize that the number of people is small but more than just one or two.

Common error

While grammatically correct, consistently using "a few individuals" can make your writing sound overly formal. Vary your language with simpler alternatives like "some people" or "several people" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few individuals" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a small quantity of people. It serves to specify the number of people being referred to, implying more than one or two, but not a large group. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few individuals" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a small number of people. While perfectly acceptable, it tends to lean towards a more formal register. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Remember to use alternatives like "some people" or "several people" to avoid sounding overly formal. Due to the lack of examples in the search results, this analysis relies primarily on general linguistic principles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of individuals

Direct synonym using 'couple' to denote two people.

a small group of people

Highlights the collective aspect of a few individuals.

several people

Emphasizes more than just a couple, suggesting a slightly larger group.

a few persons

A more formal version using the word 'persons'.

a handful of people

Implies a very small, manageable number of individuals.

a limited number of people

Focuses on the restricted quantity of individuals.

some people

A more general term indicating an unspecified, but not large, quantity.

certain individuals

Indicates specific people, though not named or identified.

some members

Implies that the individuals are part of a larger group or organization.

a minority of people

Suggests that the group is smaller and not representative of the whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few individuals" to refer to a small number of people, for example: "A few individuals have expressed interest in the project".

What's the difference between "a few individuals" and "several people"?

While both refer to more than two people, "a few individuals" implies a smaller, more specific group than "several people".

Which is more formal, "a few individuals" or "some people"?

"A few individuals" is generally considered more formal than "some people". Use "some people" in casual contexts and "a few individuals" in more formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "a few individuals"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a couple of individuals", "a handful of people", or simply "some people".