a few problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few problem" is not correct in written English.
It should be "a few problems" to indicate multiple issues. Example: "There are a few problems we need to address before the project can move forward."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

These (aside of a few problem cases that are obvious - young clusters with red continua) have been flux calibrated, deredshifted (actually deblueshifted) and dereddened.

Harvard University

What seems like small differences in equipment can add up significantly in emissions when emissions are so strongly driven by a few problem sources.

Stanford University

Only after computer makers returned a few problem chips, after their tests, did Intel discover the flaw, said Stephen L. Smith, vice president for Intel's personal computer client operations.

The New York Times - Tech

Several Congressional officials who have been briefed on the decision making said they were not persuaded that the firings were a well intended if botched effort to oust a few problem prosecutors among the country's 93 United States attorneys.

The New York Times

And the county needs even more individuals to stand-by on Election morning to fill-in for no-shows and throughout the day to replace a few problem workers; therefore the county must also recruit individuals who can tolerate not knowing if they will be working or not.

University of California, Berkeley

"What seems like small differences in equipment can add up significantly in emissions when emissions are so strongly driven by a few problem sources," according to a Natural Gas Initiative brief about the research co-authored by Brandt and Arvind Ravikumar, a postdoctoral researcher in Energy Resources Engineering.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

After a few problem-free runs with the app myself, I'd offer only a slightly less generous rating.

The New York Times - Tech

Our method is a controlled approximation in the sense that the error incurred by ignoring boundary conflicts can be quantified intrinsically, during the course of a simulation, and decreased arbitrarily (controlled) by modifying a few problem-dependent simulation parameters.

Journal of Computational Physics

There were a few problems.

The New York Times

But, there are a few problems here.

The New Yorker

O.K., there are a few problems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form "problems" when referring to multiple issues. The correct phrase is "a few problems".

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "problem" after the quantifier "a few". Remember that "a few" indicates more than one, requiring the plural noun form. For instance, instead of writing "a few problem", revise it to "a few problems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few problem" is typically intended to function as a determiner phrase, aiming to specify a limited quantity of issues. However, the grammatically incorrect singular noun usage undermines its effectiveness. Ludwig AI highlights this error, noting the need for the plural form.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few problem" is grammatically incorrect; the proper form is "a few problems". As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase needs the plural form of the noun to be grammatically correct. While the intention is clear—to indicate a small number of issues—the error detracts from its effectiveness, particularly in formal writing. It appears in various contexts, including news, academic, and scientific sources, but its incorrect grammar makes it unsuitable for professional or formal settings. Remember to use the plural form to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few problems

Corrects the original phrase by using the plural form of "problem", making it grammatically sound.

some issues

Replaces "a few problem" with a more general and grammatically correct expression.

several difficulties

Offers a more formal and emphatic way to express the presence of multiple problems.

a handful of concerns

Substitutes with a phrase that highlights worries or points of attention.

a couple of snags

Replaces with a more colloquial term, implying minor obstacles.

a limited number of troubles

Uses a slightly more elaborate structure to refer to a small amount of problems.

a small number of challenges

Replaces with challenges to indicate a more proactive approach to solving issues.

various setbacks

Indicates delays or impediments encountered.

certain hitches

A more informal way to refer to minor difficulties.

isolated incidents

Replaces "problems" with specific occurrences that have caused issues.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a few problem"?

The correct way to phrase it is "a few problems". The word "problem" should be in its plural form when used with "a few".

What can I use instead of "a few problem"?

Since "a few problem" is grammatically incorrect, you can use phrases like "some issues", "several difficulties", or "a handful of concerns" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "a few problem" or "a few problems"?

"A few problems" is the correct form. The phrase "a few" indicates a plural number, so the noun must also be plural.

What's the difference between "a few problem" and "a problem"?

"A problem" refers to a single issue, while "a few problem" is grammatically incorrect. To refer to multiple issues, use "a few problems".