a few leave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few leave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of people or things that are departing or exiting a place. Example: "After the meeting, a few leave to grab lunch together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A few leave thank-you notes or small presents.

The New York Times

Most decent restaurants will automatically add a 10% service charge, though a few leave it up to you.(Photo credit: AP) .

The Economist

About 80% of people make anonymous reports, but a few leave their details and want to be informed that positive action has been taken to remove the images.

The Guardian

Players come and go every year, but a few leave a small part of themselves behind, some trait that will be woven into the fabric of the team for a year or two, or a generation of players.

The New York Times - Sports

"A few leave here and there and all of a sudden you're the last man standing.

BBC

"Quite a few leave within the first five years because they've been worn down.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

She turned over a few leaves.

The New York Times

We still have a few leaves left.

The Guardian - Travel

The odd one sported a few leaves.

The New York Times

An autumn breeze drove a few leaves across the street.

The New Yorker

Fry that with a few leaves of my homegrown chard.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few leave", ensure the context clearly establishes what they are leaving behind to avoid ambiguity. For example, "A few leave the meeting early" is clearer than just "A few leave".

Common error

Avoid using "a few leave" when a significant number depart. "A few" suggests a small minority, so if many are leaving, use terms like "many", "several", or "a majority".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few leave" functions as a subject-verb construction. It indicates that a small number of individuals or entities are performing the action of departing. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few leave" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the departure of a small number of individuals or entities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is appropriate for various contexts. While it appears frequently in news and media, its usage extends to scientific and wiki-based content as well. Remember to consider the context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the quantity and nature of the departure. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "some depart" or "several exit", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several exit

Replaces "a few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger, but still small, number leaving.

some depart

Uses "some" instead of "a few", and "depart" instead of "leave", maintaining a similar meaning.

a handful abandon

Substitutes "leave" with "abandon", implying a more decisive departure.

a small number exit

Replaces "a few" with the more formal "a small number" and "leave" with "exit".

a couple go away

Uses "a couple" to indicate the small quantity and "go away" for a more casual departure.

a minority withdraw

Replaces "a few" with "a minority" and "leave" with "withdraw", suggesting a formal removal.

only some remain

Focuses on those who stay rather than those who leave, implying the departure through the absence of others.

just a few bail

Employs the slang term "bail" to suggest an informal or abrupt departure.

a scattering escape

Paints a picture of a dispersed departure or escape.

several relinquish

Uses a more formal verb, "relinquish", to suggest giving up something when departing.

FAQs

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

Use "a few leave" to indicate that a small number of people or things are departing from a specific place or situation. For example, "After the presentation, "a few leave" to catch their flights".

What can I say instead of "a few leave"?

You can use alternatives like "some depart", "several exit", or "a small number exit" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "a few leave" and "a few left"?

"A few leave" indicates a current or future action of departing, while "a few left" indicates a past departure. For example, "A few leave the room now", versus "a few left earlier".

Is "a few are leaving" similar to "a few leave"?

Yes, "a few are leaving" and ""a few leave"" are similar. "A few are leaving" emphasizes the ongoing action, while ""a few leave"" is a more general statement of departure.