a few inquiries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a few inquiries' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small number of questions or requests for information. For example: "The mayor made a few inquiries about the proposed changes to the local zoning ordinance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

She looked him over and said that she would make a few inquiries on his behalf.

The New Yorker

All this prompted me to make a few inquiries of my own.

The Guardian

But quite a few inquiries reflect the workers' concerns for customers.

The New York Times

But it prompted Peggy to make a few inquiries of friends, and of the local historical society.

The Guardian - Arts

"We've gotten quite a few inquiries about people moving here, so their kids could attend that school," he said.

The New York Times

He made a few inquiries - and a visit to the Web site of The Times - and quickly realized it was a hoax.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Ann Marie Kimball's book is a welcome addition to those few inquiries that cross the disciplines of epidemiology, economics, and political science.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"We made a few discreet inquiries," Mr. Lake said.

The New York Times

Cashman said he had had a few trade inquiries about Igawa over the years.

The New York Times

After receiving a few initial inquiries but no offers, he lowered his asking price in 1990 to $165,000.

The New York Times

The company, based in Atlanta, said it had received a few unsolicited inquiries regarding the possible sale of the company in recent months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few inquiries" when you want to convey a limited and relatively small number of questions or investigations were made, without being overly specific about the exact quantity.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on vague quantifiers like "a few" if the specific number of inquiries is relevant or can be easily determined. Providing a more precise count can enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few inquiries" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a verb. It indicates a limited number of questions or requests for information, functioning within a sentence to describe an action involving investigation or questioning. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few inquiries" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a small number of questions or investigations. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While semantically similar phrases exist, the best alternative depends on the precise nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, remember to be specific if the exact number of inquiries matters. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "a few inquiries" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several questions

Indicates more than two inquiries, suggesting a slightly larger number.

some queries

Uses the synonym "queries" for "inquiries" and implies several inquiries.

some questions

A less specific term that implies an indefinite quantity, but still a limited number of questions or requests.

a handful of questions

Uses a more descriptive and informal expression to mean a small number of questions.

a couple of questions

Implies exactly two questions or inquiries.

a small number of investigations

Focuses on the investigative aspect rather than just asking questions.

brief investigation

Highlights the brief nature of inquiries

limited questioning

Emphasizes the limited scope of the questioning process.

initial probes

Replaces "inquiries" with "probes", suggesting an exploratory investigation at the beginning.

preliminary investigations

Similar to initial probes but more formal, indicating the early stages of an investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few inquiries" to indicate that someone has asked some questions or investigated something to a limited extent. For example: "The detective made "a few inquiries" about the suspect's whereabouts".

What is a synonym for "a few inquiries"?

Synonyms for "a few inquiries" include "several questions", "some questions", or "a handful of questions".

Is it better to say "a few inquiries" or "several inquiries"?

The choice depends on the context and the specific number you want to imply. "A few" generally suggests a smaller number than "several". If you mean approximately 3-5 questions, "a few" is appropriate. "Several" suggests more than "a few" but is still not a large number.

What does "a few inquiries revealed" mean?

"A few inquiries revealed" means that after asking some questions or doing some light investigation, something was discovered or became known. For example: "A few inquiries revealed that the company was in financial trouble".