a few penalties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few penalties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of penalties, often in the context of sports, law, or rules. Example: "The team was assessed a few penalties during the game, which affected their overall performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The session finished with a few penalties.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, he was so uncomfortable that he gave away a few penalties for not releasing.

The Guardian - Sport

The first 25 minutes will be a challenge and will probably see a few penalties traded, but then England should start to break down the Italians with their runners and the intelligence with which they have been playing under Lancaster.

Independent

Though there are a few penalties involved, this means that it is almost certain that the American giant will end up with the lot.That should be a mildly toothsome prospect: Cazenove has lots of close relationships with British companies.

The Economist

After training the day before the game we practised a few penalties, and I asked John Fashanu, who also liked to pass the ball that side, to take a few.

The Guardian - Sport

Quins did impose themselves up front, Botica's first penalty to open the scoring coming after a powerful scrum earned five metres and a collapse, but they wasted a few penalties by losing the subsequent lineouts and were far from their sharpest.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

They had seen a few penalty claims denied by Tom Henning Ovrebo and one still remained.

The Guardian - Sport

Second, do we really believe that a few penalty minutes are going to wipe the slate clean?

The New York Times - Sports

When the New England Patriots quarterback dramatically fell to the turf during a "Thursday Night Football" showdown with the New York Jets it sure looked like he was flopping in hopes of picking up a few penalty yards at the expense of his rivals.

Huffington Post

As a result, there are few penalties levied against contractors when, because of ignorance, carelessness or a desire to save money, guidelines are violated.

The New York Times

Carelessness brings few penalties other than a blow to a corporate reputation that may soon pass.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sports or competitive events, use "a few penalties" to acknowledge minor infractions without overemphasizing their impact. This keeps the tone balanced and objective.

Common error

Avoid using "a few penalties" when the context requires highlighting major or numerous infractions. Instead, opt for phrases like "significant penalties" or "repeated violations" to accurately convey the seriousness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few penalties" functions as a quantifier phrase, specifying a small but indefinite number of penalties. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct phrase frequently observed across various contexts. The term "few" modifies "penalties", indicating a limited quantity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few penalties" is a grammatically sound and commonly used quantifier phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It serves to indicate a small number of penalties in a neutral register, suitable for diverse contexts such as news reports, sports analyses, and general discussions. Its usage is particularly frequent in news and media, as exemplified by sources like The Guardian and BBC. Alternatives like "several infractions" or "some sanctions" can be used for slight variations in emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several infractions

Replaces "penalties" with a more formal synonym, "infractions", emphasizing a violation of rules.

a couple of violations

Substitutes "penalties" with "violations", indicating a breach of regulations.

some sanctions

Uses "sanctions" to denote penalties, implying a more official or regulatory context.

a handful of fouls

Uses "fouls" specifically in a sports context to refer to penalties.

a number of fines

Specifies that the penalties are monetary, using "fines" for clarity.

occasional punishments

Substitutes "penalties" with "punishments", emphasizing the punitive aspect.

a small number of rule breaks

Rephrases the idea using "rule breaks" to soften the impact of "penalties."

minor disciplinary actions

Replaces "penalties" with a more general term, suggesting actions taken for discipline.

limited number of faults

Uses "faults" instead of "penalties", implying mistakes or errors.

certain number of demerits

Replaces "penalties" with "demerits", often used in contexts like school or employee performance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few penalties" to indicate a small number of infractions or sanctions. For instance, "The team received "a few penalties" during the game, but they managed to recover and win".

What are some alternatives to "a few penalties"?

Alternatives include "several infractions", "some sanctions", or "a number of fines" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a few penalties" or "few penalties"?

"A few penalties" suggests a small number of penalties, whereas "few penalties" implies that the number of penalties is notably small, possibly unexpectedly so. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "a few penalties" and "minor penalties"?

"A few penalties" refers to the quantity of penalties, while "minor penalties" describes the severity of the penalties. A team might incur "a few penalties" that are all "minor penalties", or they might incur a few major ones.