a few perpetrators

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few perpetrators" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of individuals who have committed a crime or wrongdoing. Example: "The police arrested a few perpetrators involved in the recent robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Under Gomułka, a few perpetrators of Stalinist crimes were prosecuted and sentenced to prison terms.

Wikipedia

Most of these crimes, too, have remained unsolved, and only a few perpetrators have been brought to justice.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The choice of which former members of the Khmer Rouge to try may be decided simply on the basis of who is still alive to be tried, and human rights groups are already warning against placing all the blame on a select few perpetrators.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neu's arrest is notable because while the Nigerian prince scam has reached a certain level of cultural saturation very few perpetrators get caught.

Vice

And perhaps, he said, the paperwork will offer clues to "a few new perpetrators" who, if no longer subject to earthly justice, can at least stand before the bar of history.

The New York Times

Only a small number of incidents are ever reported and investigated, and few perpetrators are held accountable.

Unicef

Few perpetrators have been convicted.

The Economist

This is true, but mainly because so few perpetrators are held to account by the courts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Few perpetrators seek out their victims, let alone write books about them.

The New Yorker

Domestic violence was specifically outlawed in the 2013 Family Protection Act but the government is yet to implement it and few perpetrators of violence against women face the justice system.

The Guardian

IT is hard not to be dismayed by the fact that two years into our economic crisis so few perpetrators of financial misdeeds have been held accountable for their actions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few perpetrators", ensure the context clearly defines the crime or wrongdoing they committed. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a few perpetrators" when the actual number is significantly higher. Overstating the number can undermine the severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few perpetrators" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as the subject or object of a sentence, identifying a small group of individuals who have committed an act, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few perpetrators" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a small number of individuals responsible for a particular act. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While examples are relatively rare, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including News & Media and Wiki. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the crime or wrongdoing committed by the "perpetrators". Consider alternative phrases like "several offenders" or "some wrongdoers" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several offenders

Replaces "few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger but still limited number of offenders.

some wrongdoers

Substitutes "perpetrators" with the more general term "wrongdoers", implying wrongdoing without specifying a crime.

a handful of culprits

Uses "handful" to emphasize the small number and replaces "perpetrators" with "culprits", suggesting guilt.

a limited number of offenders

More formal and explicitly states the limited quantity of offenders.

a small group of offenders

Emphasizes the group aspect while retaining the limited quantity and using "offenders".

a scattering of perpetrators

Implies the perpetrators are dispersed or not acting in a coordinated manner.

isolated perpetrators

Stresses that the perpetrators acted alone or independently.

a minority of offenders

Highlights that the offenders represent a small portion of a larger group.

a select few perpetrators

Indicates the perpetrators were specifically chosen or represent a distinct subgroup.

sparse perpetrators

Highlights the scarcity of perpetrators.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few perpetrators" to describe a small number of individuals who have committed a specific act. For example, "The investigation led to the arrest of "several offenders" involved in the fraud scheme".

What are some alternatives to "a few perpetrators"?

Alternatives include "some wrongdoers", "several offenders", or "a handful of culprits". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

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

Yes, "a few perpetrators" is appropriate for formal writing. However, in some contexts, more formal alternatives like "a limited number of offenders" might be preferable.

What is the difference between "a few perpetrators" and "the perpetrators"?

"A few perpetrators" refers to a small, unspecified number of individuals, while "the perpetrators" refers to a specific group of individuals already identified or known to the audience. It indicates that you have a defined set of individuals in mind.