a few memos

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few memos" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of written messages or documents, typically in a business or organizational context. Example: "I need to review a few memos before the meeting to ensure I'm up to date on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yet the executive sponsors often assumed that a few memos and sales kickoff meetings would drive commitment.

Forbes

Power, practicality and portability still outweigh a tiny profile, even if most users never do anything more significant than retrieve E-mail and craft a few memos.

Forbes

He then lowers a burl-walnut picnic tray from the driver's seatback, produces a notepad from his sport coat pocket and jots a few memos to himself.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There were two small, handwritten cards; two scratched photographs; and a few typewritten memos.

The New York Times

Do you ever lie awake at night wondering if a few more memos on national security would have reached the President's desk if he wasn't spending half his time dealing with your sexual McCarthyism?

Independent

He takes out his phone and presses play on a few saved memos: one recorded while he was running through East River Park, blurting out a melody while on a morning jog; another while walking down a crowded downtown sidewalk, humming chord progressions.

The New York Times

I tried to capture the magic by taking a few voice memos on my phone.

Vice

He left few memos or letters, but, from what he wrote about "Oz" for an internal M-G-M publication, one gets the impression that he changed his mind because he wanted to make an entertainment that both adults and children could see.

The New Yorker

We thought maybe we'd put together a few temporary, informal memos on network protocols, the rules by which computers exchange information.

The New York Times

Enron released memos a few weeks ago detailing methods that its traders used to manipulate electricity prices in California in 2000.

The New York Times

Most of the members are sitting quietly with their hands clasped; one is scrawling a few notes on a memo pad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few memos", ensure the context clearly indicates what the memos pertain to. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few memos" without specifying the subject or relevance. Always provide context to ensure your audience understands the memos' significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few memos" functions as a quantifier + noun, modifying the noun "memos" to indicate a small, indefinite number. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few memos" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a small quantity of memoranda. According to Ludwig, it functions as a quantifier plus a noun, typically found in neutral to professional contexts such as news reporting and academic documentation. Related phrases include "several memoranda" and "a couple of memos". When employing this phrase, providing relevant context is advisable. "A few memos" is versatile and effective for communicating about a limited set of documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of memos

Substitutes "a few" with "a couple of", indicating a similar small quantity.

several memoranda

Replaces "memos" with its more formal equivalent "memoranda".

a small number of memos

More explicitly states the quantity of memos.

a handful of memos

Emphasizes a small, manageable number of memos.

some notes

Replaces "memos" with "notes", broadening the type of written communication.

a few messages

Uses "messages" instead of "memos", generalizing the form of communication.

several briefs

Replaces "memos" with "briefs", suggesting more concise documents.

a number of communications

Formalizes "memos" into general communications.

certain documents

Broadens the scope to include unspecified "documents".

some records

Replaces memos with more generic "records".

FAQs

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

You can use "a few memos" to refer to a small number of written communications, such as, "I need to review "a few memos" before the meeting."

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

You can use alternatives like "several memoranda", "a couple of memos", or "some notes" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a few memos" or "several memos"?

Both "a few memos" and "several memos" are correct, but "several memos" might imply a slightly larger quantity than "a few memos".

What is the difference between "a few memos" and "some notes"?

While both refer to a small quantity of written material, "a few memos" specifically implies formal communications within an organization, whereas "some notes" is more general and can refer to informal jottings or records.