a few regulations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few regulations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a small number of rules or guidelines that govern behavior or procedures. Example: "The company has implemented a few regulations to ensure a safe working environment for all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

As I wrote last March as the Senate's bill (S. 2155) was heading toward passage, the bill "provides targeted exemptions from a few regulations for smaller banks, all of which will remain (heavily) regulated". The bill did not repeal a single title of the Dodd-Frank Act, and the Trump administration can't do something like that on its own.

Forbes

Self-driving cars seem just a few regulations away from our city streets.

The New York Times

In order to carry them abroad, he had to follow a few regulations, including making certain that removing a few frogs would not further endanger the total population.

The Guardian

African countries with savvy leaders will also shine; rewriting a few regulations is an easier way to win good global reviews than balancing budgets and building better infrastructure.

The Economist

In the swing state of Florida on Saturday Obama summed Romney's platform up as: "Tax cuts, tax cuts, gut a few regulations, some more tax cuts".

The Guardian

The governor has offered tax breaks for new factories and cut a few regulations, but this has yet to bear fruit.The governor has taken a firm stand on health care, albeit mostly to say "no".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Brett Jacobs, a US coach who has also worked overseas, told the NSCAA panel he had recently traveled to the Netherlands and brought home a few regulation-sized but lighter balls that can be used in training.

The Guardian - Sport

At the forefront is Texas, a state with few regulations and a thriving payday loan industry.

Huffington Post

Yet danger is difficult to quantify in a sport with few regulations and no governing body.

The New York Times - Sports

As influencer marketing stands, individual platforms like YouTube and Facebook, with a few peppered regulations by the FTC, regulate the industry.

Forbes

Among the few regulations is a requirement that they attend the several Alcoholics Anonymous-style meetings each day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few regulations" when you want to emphasize that the rules or guidelines are limited in scope and number, suggesting a manageable level of oversight.

Common error

Avoid using "a few regulations" when in fact numerous or complex regulations apply. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few regulations" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "regulations". It quantifies the regulations, indicating a limited number. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “a few regulations” is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a limited number of rules or guidelines. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for written English and can be used across various contexts. Analysis of the examples reveals that it is frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources, suggesting a broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure that the number of regulations is indeed limited to avoid misleading the audience. Alternatives like "limited regulations" or "a small number of regulations" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A small number of regulations

Rephrases the quantity using a more explicit construction.

Several regulations

Uses "several" as a synonym for "a few", indicating a small quantity.

Limited regulations

Focuses on the restricted nature of the regulations.

A handful of regulations

Employs a more informal term to indicate a small number.

Minimal rules

Emphasizes the small quantity of rules.

A limited set of rules

Replaces "regulations" with "rules" and emphasizes the limited scope.

Selected regulations

Highlights the specific and targeted nature of the regulations.

Specific regulations

Indicates regulations that are precisely defined and not numerous.

Some regulations

Uses a less specific term to refer to an indefinite number of regulations.

Targeted rules

Highlights that the rules are aimed at specific issues or entities, implying they are not extensive.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few regulations" to indicate that only a small number of rules apply to a particular situation. For example, "The company operates under "a few regulations", making it easy to comply".

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

Alternatives include "limited regulations", "minimal rules", or "a small number of regulations". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a few regulations" or "few regulations"?

"A few regulations" implies a small but positive number of regulations. "Few regulations" suggests that there are hardly any regulations, and it is a negative statement.

Can "a few regulations" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a few regulations" can be used in formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to indicate that the number of regulations is limited. However, in highly formal contexts, consider using more precise language if the exact number is known or relevant.