a few leads

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few leads" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about people, ideas, or other things that provide a starting point for possible solutions or opportunities. For example, "Our team has worked hard to find potential investors, but we only have a few leads at this point."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

We got quite a few leads out of it".

The New York Times

"We've blown a few leads in the past," said the director of rugby.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Lesh sang a few leads adequately, though with deserved modesty.

The New York Times - Arts

The partners followed a few leads and wound up going into business with a recording studio in Manhattan, Mediasound.

The New York Times - Arts

Though Ms. Greenberg said she had developed only a few leads from the groups, she continues to go for the human contact.

The New York Times

Unlikely; but if told their secret cooperation might ameliorate sentences at war-crimes trials, they might discreetly provide a few leads.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It is Hollywood's oldest agency, making $220 million a year in commissions, but it represents only a few lead actors, including John Travolta, Reese Witherspoon, Morgan Freeman, and Russell Crowe.

The New Yorker

His molds were used later during the 17th century at Avon near Fontainebleau and at Manerbe, Calvados, where a few lead-glazed earthenware statuettes were made.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rafael Valdés, on maracas, sang close harmony with Cascarita and took over a few lead vocals, with a broader, more extroverted tenor that could turn mock-operatic.

The New York Times - Arts

Pick from acoustic, metal, bass, and a few lead guitar tones.

TechCrunch

We compared the binding ability of a few lead peptides to inhibit the binding of 0.5 μM biotinylated LXY1 to U-87MG cells.

EJNMMI Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investigative work, use "a few leads" to show progress without implying certainty.

Common error

Avoid portraying "a few leads" as guaranteed solutions; instead, emphasize their potential as starting points for further exploration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few leads" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct, and it serves as the object of a verb or preposition, indicating the presence of some initial information or opportunities as confirmed by multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few leads" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the presence of some initial information or potential opportunities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While it suggests promise, it also implies the need for further investigation. When using the phrase, be mindful not to overstate the significance of these initial leads, and consider alternatives like "some initial clues" or "a handful of prospects" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some initial clues

Emphasizes the introductory nature of the information, suggesting they are early indications.

few initial indications

Stresses the preliminary and limited nature of the leads.

a handful of prospects

Focuses on the potential of the leads to become something more significant.

several early insights

Focuses on the understanding or knowledge gained from the leads.

several promising avenues

Highlights the potential directions that the leads might offer.

some tentative options

Suggests that the leads are not yet fully formed or certain.

a couple of possibilities

Indicates a smaller, more limited number of leads.

a small number of opportunities

Highlights the potential benefit or advantage that the leads present.

a sprinkling of hints

Implies that the leads are subtle and require further investigation.

limited viable options

Emphasizes constraints or limitations in the number of potentially workable solutions

FAQs

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

You can use "a few leads" to indicate that there are some initial pieces of information or potential opportunities available. For example, "The detective had "a few leads" to follow in the case".

What are some alternatives to "a few leads"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "some initial clues", "a handful of prospects", or "several promising avenues".

Is it appropriate to use "a few leads" in formal writing?

Yes, "a few leads" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing contexts. It is a neutral and widely understood phrase.

What does it mean to have "a few leads"?

To have "a few leads" means to have a small number of potential starting points or pieces of information that could lead to a solution, discovery, or opportunity.