a few number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few number" is not correct and should not be used in written English.
Instead, you can say "a few numbers" or "a small number." Here is an example of the correct usage: "There were only a few numbers left in the lottery, so my chances of winning were slim."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whereas, the product prepared at 180 °C shows bunches accompanying a few number of free rods.

Materials Letters

An attacker creates only a few number of instances in each of the cloud's data centers.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

Generally only a few number of Raman transitions with large enough cross-sections can be exploited.

Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications

Other models depending on a few number of parameters could be used as well.

Earth, Planets and Space

Any node is reachable from anywhere in the graph with a few number of traversed edges.

Computational Social Networks

Particularly, duration analysis is only used in a few number of studies.

Health Economics Review

Results show that neighbors of this person are organized in a few number of steps.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

This method constructs the reliable part of the target using a few number of PCA basis.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This is done because a few number of SPPs and CTPs are created.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Good identified results can be obtained from the short time histories of a few number of measurement points.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

We expect that the gross features of their morphology result from the combination of a few number of general processes.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a small number" or "few" instead of "a few number" to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, use "a small number of errors" instead of "a few number of errors".

Common error

Avoid using "number" after "few". "Few" already implies a plural quantity, so using "a few number" is redundant and grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "a few" followed by a plural noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few number" functions as a determiner phrase intended to specify a small quantity. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few number" is frequently encountered, particularly within scientific literature. However, it's crucial to recognize that, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically incorrect. The proper way to express a small quantity is by using "a small number" or simply "a few" followed by a plural noun. While the phrase's presence in various sources might suggest acceptability, adhering to correct grammar ensures clarity and credibility in writing. Always opt for grammatically sound alternatives to maintain professional and academic standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number

Replaces "few" with "small" while maintaining the meaning and correcting the grammar.

just a few

Adds emphasis to the small quantity.

only a few

Highlights that the quantity is unexpectedly small.

a limited number

Emphasizes the restriction on the quantity.

a handful

Suggests a small, manageable quantity.

a select few

Emphasizes the special or exclusive nature of the small quantity.

several

Indicates more than two but not many.

a minority

Highlights that the quantity is less than half of the total.

a fraction

Implies a small part of a whole.

a scattering

Suggests a sparse distribution of items.

FAQs

What's the proper way to use "a few" in a sentence?

"A few" should be followed by a plural noun. For example, "a few books" or "a few ideas" are correct. Avoid constructions like "a few number".

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

You can use alternatives like "a small number", "several", or simply "a few" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a few number" or "a few numbers"?

"A few numbers" is correct when referring to multiple numerical values. However, in most contexts where "a few number" is used, it should be replaced with "a small number" or simply "a few".

Is there a difference between "a few" and "few"?

Yes, "a few" implies a small but positive quantity, suggesting that there are at least some items or instances. "Few", on the other hand, emphasizes the smallness of the quantity and can sometimes carry a negative connotation, suggesting that the number is less than expected or desired.