a few of those

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few of those" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of items or examples from a larger group that has been previously mentioned. Example: "I have seen a few of those movies, and they were all quite entertaining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few of those artists have remained.

The New York Times

She knew a few of those.

The Economist

I read a few of those articles.

The New York Times

I sent a few of those over.

The New York Times - Magazine

A few of those are true".

The New York Times

There's a few of those.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The following highlight a few of those.

Princeton University

Following are a few of those stories.

Stanford University

Here are a few of those things.

The Washington Post

"A few of those," Theodorou said.

The New York Times - Sports

I've saved a few of those.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few of those", ensure the referent is clearly established in the preceding context to avoid ambiguity. For example, first introduce 'several options' and then refer back to 'a few of those'.

Common error

Avoid using "a few of those" without a clear antecedent. For instance, instead of saying 'I tried a few of those', specify what 'those' refers to: 'I tried a few of those new recipes'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few of those" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically acting as a quantifier. It indicates a limited quantity of items previously mentioned or understood in the context. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

22%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few of those" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a limited subset of a previously mentioned group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It's common in "News & Media" and "Academia", maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While similar to phrases like "some of them" or "several of those", it specifically highlights a smaller, select quantity. When employing "a few of those", ensure the reference is clear to avoid ambiguity, enhancing the overall clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some of them

Indicates an unspecified number, but more than one, from a group.

several of those

Implies more than "a few" but not a large quantity.

a couple of those

Specifically refers to two from the group.

a handful of those

Suggests a small, manageable number.

a small number of those

More formal way of saying "a few of those".

certain ones of those

Emphasizes that only specific items from the group are being referred to.

a selection of those

Highlights the act of choosing some from the group.

a minority of those

Indicates that the number is less than half of the total group.

a portion of those

Suggests a part or share of the total number.

not all of those

Implies that some, but not the entirety, of the mentioned items are applicable.

FAQs

How can I use "a few of those" in a sentence?

You can use "a few of those" to refer back to a previously mentioned group, like in this example: "We considered many applicants, but only "a few of those" were qualified."

What is a less common synonym for "a few of those"?

A less common synonym for "a few of those" could be "several of those", which implies a slightly larger quantity than just "a few".

Is it ever incorrect to use "a few of those"?

It is not grammatically incorrect, but it can be unclear if the "those" part of the phrase doesn't have a clear reference in the context. Always make sure your audience knows what "those" refers to.

What's the difference between "a few of those" and "some of those"?

"A few of those" and "some of those" are very similar, but "a few" often suggests a smaller number than "some". The choice depends on the specific number you're implying.