a few manuscripts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few manuscripts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of written documents or texts, typically in the context of literature, research, or historical records. Example: "The library has a few manuscripts from the 18th century that are of great interest to researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Using all my will power, I read through a few manuscripts and notebooks.

The New Yorker

"I want her to be re-evaluated by the academic community," Ms. Crawford said, and then she read aloud from a few manuscripts.

The New York Times - Arts

Although the writing is mostly in Arabic, quite a few manuscripts are in vernaculars adapted to the Arabic script, which is sure to pose a challenge for scholars.

The New York Times - Science

For only a few manuscripts is this not the case.

Plosone

A few manuscripts describe interactions between NK cells and tumors in bone.

BioMed Research International

Only a few manuscripts were related to anesthetic, respiratory, and airway management in patients suffering from pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The script occurs in many inscriptions and a few manuscript fragments from eastern Turkistan, northwestern Mongolia, and south-central Siberia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During the current Asia Week New York sales, Tibetan book covers and a few manuscript pages are for sale at Bonhams, Christie's, Sotheby's and the Carlo Cristi gallery in Manhattan, each with four- and five-figure prices and estimates.

The New York Times - Arts

The exhibition was small, with a handful of paintings and a few manuscript leaves.

Wikipedia

"Although Springsteen is known to have an intensive drafting process, few manuscripts of 'Born to Run' are available, with the present example being one of only two identified that include the most famous lines in the song," an unnamed Sotheby's representative told the Associated Press. .

Los Angeles Times

This, of course, depends upon (1) the definition of a majority and (2) the assumption that the finding of even a few relevant manuscripts not identified by the search strategy means there are no other such manuscripts outside of the reach of that search strategy.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few manuscripts", ensure the context clearly indicates why the quantity is relevant or significant to your discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a few manuscripts" to imply a broader trend or conclusion without sufficient evidence. The limited quantity may not be representative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few manuscripts" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a small, indefinite quantity of written documents. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few manuscripts" is a grammatically sound and widely accepted way to refer to a small number of written documents. While the phrase appears across various contexts, it's predominantly seen in scientific, journalistic, and encyclopedic content. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and the related writing guidance underscores its appropriate usage and potential pitfalls. Using alternative phrases such as "several manuscripts" or "a handful of manuscripts" can add nuance to your writing while avoiding overstating the significance of the quantity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several manuscripts

Uses "several" instead of "a few", indicating a slightly larger, but still limited, quantity.

a couple of manuscripts

Replaces "a few" with "a couple", specifying exactly two.

a handful of manuscripts

Uses "a handful" to suggest a small, easily manageable number.

a small number of manuscripts

Replaces "a few" with "a small number", providing a more formal tone.

some manuscripts

Uses "some" for a less specific indication of quantity.

a limited number of manuscripts

Emphasizes the restricted quantity with "a limited number".

a sprinkling of manuscripts

Uses "sprinkling" to imply a sparse distribution of manuscripts.

a selection of manuscripts

Focuses on the fact that there is a choice or sample of manuscripts.

a cluster of manuscripts

Implies that the few manuscripts are grouped together in some way.

minimal manuscripts

Uses "minimal" to stress the extremely low quantity of manuscripts.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few manuscripts" to describe a small number of written documents, like "The historian examined "a few manuscripts" from the period to understand the cultural context."

What phrases are similar to "a few manuscripts"?

Similar phrases include "several manuscripts", "a couple of manuscripts", or "a handful of manuscripts", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a few manuscripts" is appropriate in formal writing. It clearly indicates a small quantity without being overly casual. However, for even greater precision, consider specifying the exact number if known.

When should I avoid using "a few manuscripts"?

Avoid using "a few manuscripts" when the exact number is critical to the context, or when a more precise quantitative description is necessary for clarity. In such cases, specify the number of manuscripts instead.