a few offices

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few offices" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of offices, typically in a business or organizational context. Example: "The company has expanded its operations and now has a few offices in different cities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It has quite a few offices and many of the big Turkish hotels.

The Economist

After visiting quite a few offices, he finally found a WAC captain who answered his question.

The New Yorker

That showroom will occupy most of the first floor, along with a few offices intended to present the company's furniture in an office setting.

The New York Times

Prior to The Masque of the Red Death, BAC had operated two studio spaces, plus a few offices dotted about the place in the building.

The Guardian

Developed by the British on reclaimed land along the bay, most of the buildings were constructed in the 1920s and 1930s and now are subdivided into apartments, a few offices and social or sports clubs.

The New York Times

"If you have one million square feet spread across 25 floors, that shadow space may be a few seats here, a few offices there," said Robert J. Alexander, chairman of the tristate region for CB Richard Ellis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Salarymen and not a few office ladies crowd on to long wooden benches.

The Guardian - Travel

He has let all but a few office staff members go, and hires temporary workers whenever a project comes along.

The New York Times

There a few office royals - 'Queen of Social Media' and 'Queen of Stock', whose domains are self-evident.

The Guardian

What if a film shows a few office workers trampling people on the staircases in a frantic attempt to save their own lives?

The New York Times

Sporting organisations are different: apart from a few office buildings (plus a museum, in the case of the IOC) and a few administrators, their assets are symbolic and intangible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few offices", ensure the context provides a clear understanding of the total number of offices being discussed. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few offices" when the actual number is significant or unknown. Use terms like "several" or "many" if the quantity is larger than a small handful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few offices" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "offices". It specifies a small, indefinite quantity of offices. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and common in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few offices" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a small number of offices. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show its presence across various reliable sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and business reports. While "a few offices" is versatile, it's important to ensure that its use accurately reflects the quantity being described. Alternatives like "several offices" or "a couple of offices" might be more suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several offices

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

a couple of offices

Substitutes "a few" with "a couple", suggesting exactly two offices.

some offices

Uses "some" as a more general quantifier instead of "a few".

a small number of offices

Replaces "a few" with a more formal and descriptive phrase.

a handful of offices

Offers a more figurative alternative to "a few", implying a small and easily managed quantity.

a limited number of offices

Emphasizes the restricted quantity of offices.

a scattering of offices

Suggests the offices are sparsely distributed.

a selection of offices

Implies a choice from a set of offices, rather than a general quantity.

certain offices

Indicates specific, but not necessarily many, offices.

a minority of offices

Highlights that the offices are part of a smaller group compared to a larger whole.

FAQs

How do I use "a few offices" in a sentence?

Use "a few offices" to indicate a small, indefinite number of offices. For example, "The company maintains "a few offices" across the country for regional operations".

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

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

Which is correct: "a few offices" or "few offices"?

"A few offices" implies a small but positive number, while "few offices" suggests a scarcity or lack of offices. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

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

"A few offices" typically refers to a smaller quantity than "several offices". "Several" indicates more than two or three, but still not a large number.