a few lands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few lands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple areas of land or territories, often in a geographical or metaphorical context. Example: "The explorers discovered a few lands that had never been mapped before."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sigismondo was compelled to submit and yielded most of his territory to the pope, keeping only Rimini and a few lands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A few landed on the forefoot.

The New York Times

A few land-hungry tycoons probably feel the same way.

The New York Times - Food

It has a few landing and take-off rights, called slots, at La Guardia Airport.

The New York Times

Cell phones do not work at Camp David, leaving just a few land lines for each delegation.

The New York Times

They came, they marched, they chanted (and a few landed in jail).

The New York Times

Lewis has strayed into a few land mines, hasn't he?

The Guardian - Sport

I may have stepped on a few land mines, and if it made me the enemy, fine".

The New York Times

Here, Patrick preached his Sunday sermons to a congregation of 200 to 300 people, mostly farmers, textile workers and a few landed gentry.

The New York Times

In Afghanistan, Mullah Omar, a despot of simpler tastes, left behind little but plastic flowers, a few Land Cruisers with CDs of Islamic music, and an unkempt garden where he had spent hours petting his favorite cow.

The New Yorker

Therefore, this study analyzes a few land use indicators and investigates how land use as a whole affects travel behavior [19].

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few lands", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a "land". It could refer to territories, properties, or regions depending on the subject matter. Remember that the word "lands" can sometimes give a historical feeling to the expression.

Common error

Avoid using "a few lands" in contemporary, informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound archaic or overly formal in modern contexts. Opt for alternatives like "some areas" or "a couple of properties" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few lands" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a plural noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and functions to specify a small quantity of land areas or territories.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few lands" is grammatically sound, though somewhat infrequent in modern usage. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It serves to denote multiple, but a limited quantity of, territories or areas of land. While its register is generally neutral, it may carry a slightly formal or historical tone. For more contemporary contexts, alternatives such as "several territories" or "some properties" might be more appropriate. Common contexts include news, encyclopedias and science. While correct, consider your audience and desired tone when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several territories

Replaces "a few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger, but still indefinite, number of territories.

a couple of regions

Substitutes "lands" with "regions", providing a different term for geographical areas and "few" with "couple".

several tracts of land

Focuses on separate areas of land, using the term "tracts".

some properties

Uses "properties" to refer to land holdings, shifting the focus to ownership.

a handful of estates

Replaces "lands" with "estates", suggesting larger, privately owned areas of land. And using "handful" rather than "few".

limited acreage

Focuses on the size of the land, using "acreage" to specify the area and "limited" instead of "few".

small landholdings

Emphasizes the small size of the land possessions.

a scattering of plots

Suggests smaller, dispersed areas of land.

certain territories

More generic approach to describe some territories with no specification of quantity.

a number of farms

Specifically refers to agricultural lands.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few lands" to describe multiple areas of territory or property. For example: "The explorers discovered a few lands that had never been mapped before."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a few lands"?

Alternatives include "several territories", "some properties", or "limited acreage" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "a few lands" or "some lands"?

"A few lands" and "some lands" are similar, but "a few" implies a smaller, more specific number than "some". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. The expression "certain territories" is another valid alternative.

Can "a few lands" refer to anything other than geographical areas?

While primarily used for geographical areas or territories, "a few lands" can also metaphorically refer to distinct areas of experience or knowledge, though this usage is less common. In most cases you would use "several territories" in these cases.