a few patients

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few patients" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of patients in a medical or research context. Example: "In the study, a few patients reported experiencing side effects from the medication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I reviewed a few patients' medication.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And maybe calling a few patients.

Harvard University

I had similar results with a few patients.

The New York Times

A few patients are depicted twice, before and after surgery.

Yale University

It concerns only a few patients in Switzerland.

Le Pharmacien Hospitalier et Clinicien

Over the months, quite a few patients urgently requested the mountain man's drug.

The New York Times - Health

Within a few days, all but a few patients had been released.

The New Yorker

In a hallway, a few patients lined up to tell Clinton of their experiences.

The New Yorker

[Daily News] The new $14.5 million aquarium hospital already has admitted a few patients.

The New York Times

He told, simply, of a few patients he had seen, and their unusual neurological conditions.

The New Yorker

Dr. Stewart said quite a few patients had chipped in money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "a few patients" when the exact number is known or highly relevant. Instead, state the precise number for clarity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact by using "a few patients" when referring to a significant portion of the patient population. For instance, don't say "A few patients developed severe complications" if the complications affected 25% of the study group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few patients" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "patients". It indicates an indefinite, small quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few patients" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote a small, indefinite number of patients. As Ludwig AI points out, it is prevalent in scientific, news, and academic sources. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the understanding that "a few" indicates a small but non-negligible quantity. Consider alternatives like "several patients" or "some patients" based on the specific context and desired level of precision. Be aware of the risk of overstating the number and choose more precise language if required. The phrase is versatile across different types of writing, as long as the number of patients in question is small, but it remains more suitable for scientific and medical contexts than informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several patients

Indicates a slightly larger, but still indefinite, number of patients.

some patients

A more general term indicating an unspecified number of patients.

a small number of patients

More explicitly states that the quantity of patients is not large.

a handful of patients

Suggests a very small and easily manageable number of patients.

a couple of patients

Indicates approximately two patients.

certain patients

Refers to specific, though unnamed, patients.

selected patients

Highlights that the patients were chosen from a larger group.

a minority of patients

Emphasizes that the patients represent a smaller portion of a larger group.

isolated patients

Implies that the patients are unique or stand apart from others.

individual patients

Focuses on the patients as distinct individuals rather than a collective.

FAQs

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

Use "a few patients" to refer to a small, indefinite number of patients, like in this sentence: "A few patients reported feeling better after the new treatment.".

What are some alternatives to "a few patients"?

You can use alternatives such as "several patients", "some patients", or "a small number of patients" depending on the specific context and the degree of precision required.

Is it appropriate to use "a few patients" in formal writing?

Yes, "a few patients" is generally appropriate in formal writing, especially in medical or research contexts. However, for greater precision, consider specifying the exact number or using a more descriptive term like "a small number of patients".

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

"A few patients" typically implies a smaller number than "several patients". While both indicate an indefinite quantity, "several" suggests a somewhat larger group. The choice depends on the specific number and the desired emphasis.