a few numbers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few numbers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small quantity of numerical values or figures. Example: "In the report, we analyzed a few numbers to illustrate the trends in sales over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just how crazy is captured by a few numbers.

The New York Times

Let me use a few numbers to make my point.

The Washington Post

A few numbers will help make this real.

MIT Technology Review

Quite a few numbers have the same trajectory.

The Telegraph

A few numbers about quests and wine and beautiful women.

The New York Times

So let's just start with a few numbers and facts.

The Washington Post

Besides knowing these terms in Turkey, quite a few numbers of firms are implementing.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Non-divergent pressure and displacement are obtained simultaneously through a few numbers of iterations.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Let's crunch a few numbers first so that we are all on the same page.

Cornell University

I'll just give you a few numbers today to hopefully inform the conversation a little bit.

University of California, Berkeley

In a detailed look at Cliff Lee's regular season, a few numbers jump out.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few numbers", ensure the context clarifies what the numbers represent to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "a few sales numbers" or "a few key financial numbers".

Common error

Avoid overstating the importance of "a few numbers" without sufficient context. Ensure that the selected numbers are representative and relevant to the overall analysis or conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few numbers" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's used to indicate a small quantity of numerical values or figures, often to introduce data or statistics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

24%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few numbers" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a small quantity of numerical data. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for indicating a small quantity of numerical values or figures. It appears commonly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity and that the selected numbers are genuinely representative of the overall point. Alternatives such as "several figures" or "some statistics" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several figures

Replaces "a few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger quantity but still a small, indefinite amount.

some statistics

Substitutes "numbers" with "statistics", focusing on numerical data used for analysis.

a couple of digits

Uses "couple" to suggest approximately two and replaces "numbers" with "digits", referring to single numerical characters.

a handful of figures

Replaces "a few" with "a handful", emphasizing the small and manageable quantity of figures.

limited data

Focuses on the limited aspect of the data instead of the quantity of numbers.

select numerical values

Replaces "a few" with "select" and "numbers" with "numerical values", highlighting specific chosen numbers.

certain metrics

Substitutes "numbers" with "metrics", emphasizing that numbers are used for measurement and evaluation.

a small amount of data

Replaces "a few numbers" with a more general term indicating limited data.

preliminary figures

Suggests the numbers are initial or not yet finalized.

basic numerical information

Indicates the information provided is fundamental and expressed in numbers.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few numbers" to introduce numerical data or statistics. For example, "Let's examine "a few numbers" to understand the trend."

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

You can use alternatives like "several figures", "some statistics", or "a handful of figures" depending on the context.

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

"A few numbers" implies a small quantity that is still significant, whereas "few numbers" suggests the quantity is so small as to be almost negligible. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

When should I use "a few numbers" versus "some numbers"?

"A few numbers" suggests a smaller, more specific set of data points, while "some numbers" is a more general reference to numerical data.