a few large

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few large" is an acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to a small group of things or people that are larger than average. For example: "The carnival had a few large balloon animals on display."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are a few large, striking wall panels.

The New York Times

Quite a few large corporates have already said that.

The Guardian

Have a few large baking sheets at hand.

The Washington Post

A few large hospitals have had problems as well.

The New York Times - Health

A few large arthropods (spiders, solpugids, centipedes) also eat scorpions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At least a few large employers already do.

The New York Times

Weed biomass was relatively low, though there were a few large plants that went to seed.

Cornell University

A new study finds that only a few large retail firms have a genuinely global presence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A few large foundations below the top 10 have gone on the Net.

Princeton University

The calculated results indicate that a few large pores in the floc determine the permeability.

Chemical Engineering Science

He has also increasingly lumped many projects together as a few large, general line items.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few large" when you want to convey that the quantity is small, but the individual items are of significant size. This can add emphasis to both the limited number and the scale of what you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "a few large" when the actual number is significant or when the size isn't truly noteworthy. Overusing it can diminish its impact and create a misleading impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few large" functions as a quantifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically sound and is used to describe a small number of items that are substantial in size.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few large" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to describe a small quantity of sizable items. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, conveying information about both quantity and size. While alternatives like "some big" or "several sizable" exist, the phrase's simplicity and neutrality make it widely applicable. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects both the limited number and notable size of the described entities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a couple of large

Emphasizes the small quantity by specifying "just a couple".

a small number of large

More formally specifies "a few" as "a small number of".

some big

Replaces "few" with "some" and "large" with "big", creating a slightly more informal tone.

limited number of large

Highlights the restricted availability of large entities.

several sizable

Substitutes "few" with "several" and "large" with "sizable", suggesting a slightly more formal or precise meaning.

a limited quantity of substantial

Combines "limited" with "substantial" to express scarcity of volume or size.

not many big

Uses a double negative for emphasis, suggesting that the number of large items is notably low.

a handful of big

Replaces "few" with "a handful of", emphasizing a small quantity, and "large" with "big", creating an informal tone.

sparse distribution of large

Indicates that large elements are not densely grouped but rather present in low concentration.

isolated instances of large

Implies that occurrences of large entities are infrequent and set apart.

FAQs

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

Use "a few large" to describe a small quantity of things that are notably big. For instance, "The park had "a few large" trees providing ample shade".

What are some alternatives to using "a few large"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "some big", "several sizable", or "just a couple of large".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a few large"?

Yes, "a few large" is grammatically correct. It combines the determiner "a few" with the adjective "large" to describe the quantity and size of something.

In what situations is "a few large" most appropriate?

"A few large" is best used when you want to emphasize that while the quantity is limited, the size or scale of the items is significant. It works well in both formal and informal contexts.