a few patches of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few patches of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe small areas or sections of something, often in relation to a surface or landscape. Example: "The garden had a few patches of wildflowers that added color to the otherwise green landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then a few patches of glowing skin were visible.

The New York Times - Arts

The playground is little more than a dirt field with a few patches of grass.

The New York Times

The parents spend time chatting at the picnic tables while children play tag on a few patches of grass.

The New York Times

I took a spot next to Wang Dongqing, whose dark suit had somehow accumulated a few patches of dirt.

The New Yorker

When my daughter was in elementary school she had a classmate with just a few patches of hair on an otherwise bald scalp.

Stanford University

Except for a few patches of savanna, most of the state is covered with dense tropical rainforest, or selva, with thousands of species of broad-leaved evergreen trees.

Britannica

It's better to have a few patches of egg white than to deflate the batter, so work quickly and carefully, and don't aim for perfection.

The Washington Post

A question hangs up there with the remnant glacier, which may soon be converted to a few patches of ice: what comes next?

The New York Times - Travel

Yet the recovery has so far been enjoyed by a relatively small number of people in a few patches of the country.

The Guardian - Business

Only a few patches of vineyards are left, tucked away in the forests that climb toward the snowy peaks along the Swiss border.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The generation of cell strings by SoxE +ve ENS cells suggests that the ENC cells have a limited number of adhesive molecules on their surface, this cis-clustering may restrict cadherin to a few patches capable of mediating adhesion in trans.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few patches of" to describe small, distinct areas or amounts, particularly when referring to something scattered or unevenly distributed. For example, "The snow had melted, leaving a few patches of ice on the sidewalk."

Common error

While "a few patches of" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise quantitative language may be preferable. Instead of "a few patches of discoloration", consider "localized areas of discoloration" or quantify the area affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few patches of" primarily functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a small quantity or number of scattered or distinct areas. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few patches of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe small, scattered areas of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, especially in news, general writing, and descriptive scenarios. While versatile, it's advisable to use more precise language in highly formal or scientific writing. The phrase is widely used across reputable sources like The New York Times and the BBC, indicating its acceptance in standard English. Alternatives such as "several spots of" or "small pockets of" can be considered for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several spots of

Indicates more than just a couple of spots but still a limited number.

scattered fragments of

Emphasizes the dispersed and broken nature of the areas.

isolated sections of

Highlights that the sections are not connected and stand alone.

small pockets of

Suggests enclosed or contained areas that are limited in size.

sparse areas of

Highlights that the areas are thinly distributed and not dense.

limited expanses of

Emphasizes the restricted quantity of the areas.

occasional segments of

Indicates the areas are encountered infrequently.

minor portions of

Focuses on the small size of each area in relation to the whole.

select portions of

Emphasizes that the portions are carefully or deliberately chosen.

restricted zones of

Highlights that the area may have a restricted access or restricted spread.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few patches of" to describe scattered or isolated areas of something. For example, "After the fire, only a few patches of grass remained in the field."

What are some alternatives to "a few patches of"?

You can use alternatives like "several spots of", "scattered fragments of", or "small pockets of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a few patches of" or "some patches of"?

Both "a few patches of" and "some patches of" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many situations. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "A few" implies a smaller quantity compared to "some".

What is the difference between "a few patches of" and "many patches of"?

"A few patches of" indicates a small number of scattered areas, while "many patches of" suggests a large number of such areas. For instance, "a few patches of snow" implies only a little snow is left, while "many patches of snow" suggests significant snow cover remains.