a few requests for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few requests for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to multiple requests that you or someone else has made. For example: "We received a few requests for an extension on the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The instigator for this particular space program was Mr. Geissbühler's 7-year-old son, Max, who had made more than a few requests for a handmade spacecraft.

The New York Times - Science

"He had made a few requests over the last couple of months just to have a go on the GP13.

BBC

1 50 AM ET -- A few requests.

Huffington Post

At least a few requests involve a touch of complicity.

The New York Times

But I do have a few requests.

TechCrunch

The French have already sent almost 2,000 north Africans back to Italy.France and Germany argue that, since Italy receives proportionately few requests for asylum (just over 10,000 last year, compared with France's 52,000 and Germany's 49,000), it should cope with the relatively modest influx from north Africa.

The Economist

Besides that, users are also requested to manually annotate or provide a few labeled data [166, 167] or generate of hand-crafted rules [168, 169].

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Studies in Finland and Norway have found that appropriate counseling and psychological therapy as well as obstetric and midwifery support were associated with lower birth concerns and fewer requests for CS [ 27, 28].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Yet the bureaucracy responded to 12,400 fewer requests than the prior year, according to an analysis by the Associated Press.

The Guardian - Opinion

The patients managed by the physiotherapy service had a significantly reduced length of stay (mean difference 83 minutes, 95% CI 75 to 91) and significantly fewer requests for each type of imaging than the matched patients managed by medical staff.

Journal of Physiotherapy

A few thoughts: 1.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few requests for", ensure the context clarifies what is being requested. Being specific helps avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "We had a few requests for information", say "We had a few requests for information about the new policy".

Common error

Avoid using "a few requests for" without specifying what exactly is being requested, as this can leave your audience confused. Always provide context to clarify the nature of the requests.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few requests for" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. It modifies a noun (often implied) by specifying a limited quantity of requests directed towards a particular item or action. The phrase indicates that there were more than one request, but not a large number.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few requests for" is a grammatically sound way to express that a limited number of solicitations or inquiries have been made. However, Ludwig indicates the examples are absent from the available data, suggesting the expression can be considered valid but requires contextual enrichment for broader applicability. It functions to indicate a moderate level of demand, suitable for neutral registers, though more formal situations may benefit from more precise vocabulary. Related phrases include "several requests for", "some requests for", and "a number of requests for". It is crucial to provide context when using this phrase to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several requests for

Replaces "a few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger, but still indefinite, number of requests.

some requests for

Uses "some" as a synonym for "a few", maintaining the ambiguity of the quantity.

a number of requests for

More formal and slightly more emphatic than "a few requests for".

multiple requests for

Emphasizes that there were more than one request, without specifying an exact amount.

various requests for

Highlights the diversity or variety of the requests received.

a handful of requests for

More informal, suggesting a small number of requests that can be easily managed.

a small number of requests for

More descriptive, indicating a limited quantity of requests.

several inquiries regarding

Uses "inquiries" instead of "requests", suggesting a more general information-seeking context; "regarding" replaces "for".

some solicitations for

Employs "solicitations" instead of "requests", which may imply a more proactive or persuasive approach in the asking.

a scattering of applications for

Evokes the idea of applications being somewhat sparsely distributed, not numerous.

FAQs

How can I use "a few requests for" in a sentence?

You can use "a few requests for" to indicate that there have been multiple, but not numerous, instances of something being asked for. For example: "We received "a few requests for" the updated software manual."

What are some alternatives to "a few requests for"?

Some alternatives include "several requests for", "some requests for", or "a number of requests for", depending on the level of formality and the emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a few requests for" or "several requests for"?

Both "a few requests for" and "several requests for" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "A few" suggests a smaller number than "several".

Can "a few requests for" be used in formal writing?

While usable, "a few requests for" is generally more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "a number of requests for" or "multiple requests for" for a more professional tone.