a few relatives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few relatives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of family members or kin. Example: "During the holidays, I invited a few relatives over for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Even a few relatives turn their backs.

The New York Times

There were probably a few relatives on the board, too.

Harvard Business Review

Except for a few relatives, the courtroom was packed mostly with journalists.

The Guardian

Although orphaned as a child, Kinsey has acquired quite a few relatives over the years and picks up more here.

The New York Times - Books

The police first showed body camera footage to a few relatives of Mr. McCoy on March 13.

The New York Times

He returned jobs and money to his district — including some that benefited a few relatives, which is almost expected in these parts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

A few relative oddities, such as Harbour's dunkel bock, will please those who are jaded by hop-loaded, US-style beers.

The Guardian - Travel

The numbers include old favorites like "Anything Goes," which opens the show, and "You Do Something to Me" and a few relative unknowns like "Tale of the Oyster" and "I'm Back in Circulation".

The New York Times

Still, a few relative bargains can be found.

Forbes

Again, we're talking about a few relative outliers in the erotica spectrum, but presumably zombie-on-zombie, furry, and centaur son-and-mother erotica would be caught up in this dragnet.

TechCrunch

But while there are a few relative newcomers to the scene — like Paltinger — Munich also has several specialists that built a reputation long before trachten came back into style. .

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few relatives", ensure the context clarifies the significance of including only a small number of family members, such as specifying their roles or relationship to the topic.

Common error

Avoid using "a few relatives" when referring to a large or significant portion of your family. This can mislead the audience about the extent of family involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few relatives" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "relatives". It quantifies the noun, indicating a small, indefinite number. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in various contexts to specify the number of family members involved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few relatives" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a small number of family members. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most commonly in News & Media sources, with usage also noted in Science and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether the level of precision is appropriate for your audience and the specific context. While versatile, opting for a more exact number may enhance clarity in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of relatives

More explicitly quantifies the number of relatives.

a limited number of kin

Emphasizes the restricted quantity of relatives.

several family members

Replaces "few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger, though still indefinite, number.

a handful of family members

Offers a more descriptive and informal way to indicate a small group.

only a few family

Stresses the scarcity of relatives involved.

a couple of kin

Uses "couple" and "kin" for a more informal and concise expression.

not many relatives

Expresses the limited quantity using negation.

a select few relatives

Highlights the chosen or specific nature of the relatives.

some relations

Employs "some" and "relations" for a less specific designation.

certain relations

Indicates specific, but unnamed, relatives.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few relatives" to indicate a small number of family members involved in a situation. For instance, "A few relatives attended the wedding ceremony".

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

"A few relatives" indicates a smaller number compared to "several relatives". Use "a few relatives" when the number is notably small and "several relatives" when it's more than a few but not many.

What can I say instead of "a few relatives"?

You can use alternatives like "some family members", "a couple of kin", or "a small number of relatives" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a few relatives" in formal writing?

Yes, "a few relatives" is generally appropriate in formal writing, but consider using more precise language if the exact number of relatives is known or relevant to the context. Otherwise, it may be considered vague.