a few prisons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few prisons" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of prisons in a general context. Example: "The report highlighted the conditions in a few prisons across the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

An early promise from the next government should be to purge – initially just a few – prisons of drugs, and mean it.

The Guardian - Opinion

So I've seen a few prisons, enough to know that each has its trade-offs.

Vice

We were involved in more than one juvenile detention center, in jails around the state, and in a few prisons that were scattered throughout Illinois.

Huffington Post

He set up Stop The Killing after he spending more than two decades in a gang, with associated stints in a few prisons.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Pudgie Walsh has coached a Pulitzer Prize nominee and a few prison parolees but never a priest, he says with surprise.

The New York Times - Sports

He'd done a few prison shows before but this and San Quentin [released a year later] were the ones that were recorded.

The Guardian - Music

Only a few prison and jail systems in the country offer condoms for safer sex or bleach to disinfect needles.

The New York Times

A few prison administrators are vigilant, Mr. Weiller said, but at other prisons, "if you're inclined to abuse the system, you're into Week 4 before you even think to call in".

The New York Times

This by the way, is what we celebrate on Australia Day: a few prison ships rolling into Port Jackson.

Vice

A few prison GPs commented that they would appreciate access to ethical and security based learning as well as general medicine CPD.

BMC Family Practice

We noticed a few prison inmates denied taking part in the study in lack of motivation for changing their behaviour, or resistance to stay at the ADHD ward.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a few prisons", ensure that the context clearly indicates which specific prisons you are referring to, or that the small quantity is relevant to your statement. For example, "The program was implemented in "a few prisons" before being rolled out statewide."

Common error

Avoid implying that the conditions or practices in "a few prisons" are representative of all prisons. Clearly state that your observations or data are limited to the specific prisons you are referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few prisons" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "prisons". It specifies a limited quantity of prisons. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few prisons" is a grammatically sound way to refer to a small, limited number of correctional facilities. Ludwig indicates that its usage is correct and appropriate in written English. While versatile, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using "a few prisons", ensure that the context clearly indicates which specific prisons you are referencing to avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives like "some prisons" or "several prisons" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some prisons

Replaces "a few" with "some", indicating an unspecified but small number of prisons.

a small number of prisons

Rephrases the quantity using "a small number", providing a more descriptive alternative.

several prisons

Uses "several" instead of "a few", suggesting a slightly larger quantity but still limited.

limited number of prisons

Focuses on the restriction by saying "limited number", implying that the number of prisons is not large.

a couple of prisons

Specifies the number as "a couple", meaning two prisons.

handful of prisons

Employs "handful" to convey a small, easily manageable quantity of prisons.

a select few prisons

Adds "select" to emphasize that the prisons are chosen or distinguished in some way.

certain prisons

Uses "certain" to specify a few particular prisons instead of all of them.

not many prisons

Expresses the small quantity by negating a larger quantity.

a minority of prisons

Emphasizes the small proportion of prisons being referred to.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few prisons" to refer to a small number of correctional facilities, as in, "The new rehabilitation program was piloted in "a few prisons" before statewide implementation."

What are some alternatives to saying "a few prisons"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "some prisons", "several prisons", or "a small number of prisons".

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

"A few prisons" implies a small but non-negligible number, whereas "few prisons" can suggest a scarcity or near absence. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

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

"A few prisons" generally refers to a smaller quantity than "several prisons". While both indicate a limited number, "several" suggests a slightly larger group than "a few prisons".