a few publications

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few publications" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of published works, such as articles, papers, or books, in a specific context. Example: "The researcher has contributed a few publications to the field of environmental science over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The regime itself uses English for a few publications.

The Guardian - Travel

It carries only goods from the mainland, except for a few publications from Hong Kong.

The New Yorker

Tellingly, it's hardly ubquitous this time, used by only a few publications and at least one television commentator.

The New York Times

Most year-end lists were done and dusted by this point, but a few publications heroically reworked their lists at the last moment.

The Guardian - Music

In it, Lord Justice Brian Leveson writes that save a few publications, "the internet does not claim to operate by any particular ethical standards, still less high ones.

The Guardian

King did point to a few publications that have "held steady or made calculable strides towards shaping a more egalitarian literary landscape via gender".

The Guardian - Books

There are occasionally some good papers in poor journals, but in general the top research goes to only a few publications".

The New York Times - Health

We released the app with the support of Film London and the Dickens Museum, and it was featured in a few publications.

The Guardian

However, only a few publications discuss the impacts of both.

Materials Science and Engineering: B

A few publications related to LiVPO4FLiFePO4F and LiVPO4FLiVPO4O solid solutions have been reported to date.

Electrochimica Acta

Only in a few publications, the packing is regarded as a discrete structure (cell models).

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few publications", ensure the context makes it clear what type of publications you're referring to (e.g., articles, books, studies) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few publications" when there are significantly more than a small number, as it can mislead the reader. Be precise or use a more appropriate quantifier if the number is substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few publications" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a plural noun, acting as a noun phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a small, indefinite quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few publications" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a small number of published works. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While the term is flexible, remember to ensure that the context clarifies the type of publication being referenced. Predominantly used in scientific and news-related articles, the phrase conveys a limited quantity of available resources. When writing, be mindful not to overestimate the number; otherwise, consider using alternative quantifiers. Common alternatives include "several articles" or "a handful of papers", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several articles

Replaces "a few" with "several", emphasizing a small but indefinite number of articles.

a handful of papers

Uses "a handful" instead of "a few", providing a more informal and visual sense of quantity, focusing on papers.

limited number of studies

More formal, highlighting the restriction in the quantity of studies available.

some published works

A more general term, replacing "publications" with "published works" and "a few" with "some".

a small selection of journals

Refers specifically to a small and deliberate selection of journals.

a couple of documents

Using "a couple" implies precisely two documents, which might be a more specific subset of "a few".

certain writings

Refers to specific or particular writings among a larger body of work.

scattered reports

Suggests the reports are infrequent and dispersed.

occasional releases

Implies publications are not regular, but happen from time to time.

infrequent posting

Emphasizes the rare appearance of publication

FAQs

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

You can use "a few publications" to indicate that a small number of documents, articles, or books exist on a particular topic. For example, "A few publications have explored this phenomenon in detail."

What are some alternatives to "a few publications"?

Alternatives include "several articles", "a handful of papers", or "a limited number of studies", depending on the context and the specific type of publication.

Is it more formal to say "a few publications" or "several publications"?

"Several publications" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "a few publications", but both are generally acceptable in academic and professional writing. The best choice depends on the overall tone and style of your writing.

What's the difference between "a few publications" and "some publications"?

"A few publications" emphasizes a smaller number compared to "some publications". "Some publications" implies there are more than just a small number, without specifying an exact quantity.