a few persons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few persons" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of individuals in a formal or literary context. Example: "At the meeting, a few persons expressed their concerns about the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.

Huffington Post

This delusion is a kind of prison, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.

Huffington Post

"A few persons would gain a little time," he said.

The New York Times

Only a few persons knew of the trouble, as it occurred at midnight.

The New York Times

"I made a big skyscraper with a few persons jumping from the roof," he once wrote.

The New York Times - Books

South Sami is used by a few persons in central Norway and north-central Sweden.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The lower values correspond to a few person years of planning plus briefing the relevant individuals.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Cash is common, and more than a few person-to-person payment systems, like the popular mPesa in Kenya, have arisen to fill the gap — but fluidity is still a problem.

TechCrunch

In Tasmania only a very few persons of full Tasmanian Aboriginal descent survived by 1860, and they were the last.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shortly after his retirement from the Navy in 1976, in an Op-Ed article in The New York Times, Admiral Gayler wrote: "A very few persons go about the grim, necessary business of nuclear planning.

The New York Times

Herpes zoster, pneumococcal disease and pertussis are common among persons aged 50 and older in the Netherlands, and in the future, this study population will become more susceptible to hepatitis A, because fewer persons will have acquired natural immunity through exposure.

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few persons" in formal writing where a more sophisticated tone is desired, although "a few people" is generally acceptable in most contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a few persons" in informal or casual conversation, as it can sound stilted or pretentious. Opt for "a few people" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few persons" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a small, indefinite number of individuals. It quantifies the noun "persons", specifying that only some, but not many, are being referred to. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few persons" is a grammatically sound way to refer to a small number of individuals. While correct, it is generally considered more formal than the more common alternative, "a few people". As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is frequently used in formal contexts like scientific papers, news articles, and encyclopedic entries. While its use is perfectly acceptable, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing; in more casual settings, "a few people" is often the better choice. The phrase should be avoided in informal settings to prevent sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several individuals

More formal and emphasizes the distinctness of each person.

a handful of people

More informal, suggesting a small and easily manageable number.

some individuals

Slightly less specific regarding quantity.

a small number of people

More descriptive and less direct.

a minority of individuals

Highlights that the group represents a smaller portion of a larger group.

a couple of people

Indicates a very small number, typically two.

certain individuals

Emphasizes that specific people are being referred to, without quantifying them.

limited number of persons

Highlights the restriction on quantity.

just a few people

Adds emphasis to the small quantity.

a scattering of individuals

Suggests the people are dispersed or not closely connected.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few persons" to refer to a small number of individuals, such as, "A few persons expressed concerns at the meeting".

What's the difference between "a few persons" and "a few people"?

"A few persons" is more formal and less common than "a few people". Use "a few persons" in formal or literary contexts.

When should I use "a few persons" instead of "several individuals"?

Use "a few persons" when you want to emphasize the small quantity, while "several individuals" is suitable when you want to highlight the distinctness of each person.

What are some alternatives to "a few persons"?

You can use alternatives like "a handful of people", "some individuals", or "a small number of people" depending on the context.