a few missions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few missions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of tasks or assignments, often in a context related to work, projects, or objectives. Example: "Over the past month, we have completed a few missions that have significantly improved our team's efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

After allowing me to coast through a few missions, Flashpoint raised the difficulty level.

The New York Times - Tech

The occasional bug does, however, hinder gameplay and makes a few missions impossible to complete.

The Guardian - Tech

In its conclusion, the committee recommends "a balanced set of good Earth science missions rather than just a few missions that strive for perfection in limited disciplines".

The New York Times

On its overnight mission on Sunday, the Awacs plane cruised at 36,000 feet, higher than usual to avoid thunderstorms below that canceled a few missions.

The New York Times

The precautions were taken after "unusual occurrences were identified recently around a few missions abroad," the Israeli government said in a statement.

The New York Times

(The Jesuit elders have made a lesser-of-two evils choice: if they had not abandoned a few missions, the entire order would have been jeopardised).

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In addition there are a few mission hospitals also providing delivery service.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The free version only has a very few missions.

WikiHow

He looked as if he could handle a few more missions.

The New Yorker

While most of Matrix involves running around and shooting at people, there are also a few driving missions.

The New York Times - Tech

Californian developers Double Helix have taken the original tactical RPG format and, basically, scrapped it in favour of flat-out robot wars – with a few side missions to give some variety.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a few missions", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific type and scope of the missions being referenced. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a few missions" when the number of missions is actually significant or when the impact of those missions is substantial. In such cases, a more precise quantifier or descriptive language may be necessary to accurately reflect the scale of the activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few missions" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, specifying a limited quantity of actions or tasks. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate usage across different contexts, indicating its role in quantifying activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few missions" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a limited number of tasks or operations. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general web content. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the type and scope of the missions being referenced to avoid ambiguity. While the phrase is generally versatile, be mindful of the scale and impact of the missions to determine if a more precise quantifier is needed. Alternatives include "several missions", "a couple of missions", and "some missions", each offering slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several missions

Replaces "a few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger, but still indefinite, number of missions.

a couple of missions

Substitutes "a few" with "a couple of", specifying a number closer to two missions.

some missions

Uses "some" in place of "a few", providing a more general indication of an unspecified number of missions.

a handful of missions

Replaces "a few" with "a handful of", suggesting a small, manageable number of missions.

a limited number of missions

Adds "limited number of" to emphasize the restricted quantity of missions.

a small set of missions

Replaces "few" with "small set", focusing on missions as a collection.

certain missions

Uses "certain" to replace "a few", highlighting specific missions without specifying quantity.

several assignments

Replaces "missions" with "assignments", shifting focus to the tasks rather than the overarching purpose.

a select number of missions

Adds "select" to highlight the careful choice of missions that have been undertaken.

specific missions

Uses "specific" in place of "a few", emphasizing the targeted nature of the missions.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few missions" to describe a small number of tasks or operations undertaken for a specific purpose. For example, "After "a few training exercises", the team was ready for deployment."

What are some alternatives to "a few missions"?

Alternatives to "a few missions" include "several missions", "a couple of missions", or "some missions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a few missions" or "few missions"?

"A few missions" implies a small but positive number, whereas "few missions" suggests a smaller number, possibly implying it's insufficient. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the existence of some missions or the lack thereof.

What's the difference between "a few missions" and "several missions"?

"A few missions" generally refers to a smaller quantity than "several missions". While both indicate an indefinite number, "several" typically suggests more than "a few".