a few items

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few items" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small number of things or objects. For example, "I need to buy a few items at the grocery store before I go home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few items slipped.

The New York Times

Includes hard photocopies of a few items.

Stanford University

(Oddly a few items were unavailable).

The New York Times

A few items in the collection post-date 1980.

Harvard University

Below are a few items from the decade's lists.

The New York Times

All but a few items are for sale.

The New Yorker

Dinner, $56 ,fixed price (surcharge on a few items).

The New York Times

Of course I forgot a few items (pumpkin in cans).

The New York Times

A few items have a surcharge of $4 or $6.

The New York Times

But a few items were his guilty pleasures.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, a few items should be brought into perspective.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "a few items" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts may benefit from more precise language like "several components" or "a limited number of elements".

Common error

Avoid using "a few items" when you actually mean a larger number. If the quantity is significant, opt for terms like "many", "several", or "numerous" to accurately reflect the amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few items" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a small, indefinite quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent and correct usage. Examples show it describing things needed, bought, or included within a set.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

24%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few items" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a small, indefinite quantity of things. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academic writing. While generally neutral in register, more precise language may be appropriate for formal or scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes it clear what "items" are being referred to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a few things

Adds "just" for emphasis on the small quantity.

a small number of things

Rephrases "items" with "things" and uses "small number" to convey the quantity.

several objects

Replaces "few" with "several", emphasizing a slightly larger quantity.

a handful of elements

Uses "handful" to imply a small, manageable quantity of "elements".

some articles

Substitutes "items" with "articles", which can be more specific depending on context.

a couple of products

Specifies "items" as "products", suitable in a commercial context, and uses "couple" to indicate a small number.

a limited selection

Focuses on the restricted nature of the choice or number.

a restricted quantity

Highlights the limited amount of items.

a scattering of objects

Emphasizes the dispersed or random arrangement of a small number of "objects".

a minority of pieces

Indicates that the items are a smaller portion of a larger group, using "pieces" as a synonym.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few items" to refer to a small number of things. For example, "I need to buy "a few items" at the store" or "She packed "a few items" for her trip".

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

"A few items" suggests a smaller quantity than "several items". While both indicate more than two, "several" implies a somewhat larger, less precisely defined number. You might choose "several items" if you don't want to give the impression of a very small amount.

Is it correct to say "a few item" instead of "a few items"?

No, it is not correct. "Few" requires a plural noun. The correct phrase is ""a few items"", where "items" is plural.

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "several objects", "a small number of things", or "some articles". The best choice depends on what you're referring to and the level of formality required.