a few rounds

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few rounds" is a valid and common phrase in written English.
You can use it to speak about a repetition of something, such as "We played a few rounds of cards" or "We took turns going around the room introducing ourselves in the first few rounds".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few rounds later, he asked again.

The New York Times

Perhaps a few rounds of Danish?

The New York Times

"He's going to win a few rounds".

The New York Times - Sports

Like I'd gone a few rounds with a real heavyweight.

The New Yorker

It is just sad," Starks wrote, a few rounds later.

The New Yorker

Nobody will even notice a few rounds in.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, after a few rounds of voting, we agreed upon our final project.

Columbia University

After a few rounds of bidding, the auction reached a fever pitch.

Harvard University

Prediction: Expect Dellacqua to ride home-crowd support through a few rounds before faltering.

The Guardian - Sport

After a few rounds of this, the lieutenant in charge of the howitzer battery said, "Enough".

The New Yorker

How much would Americans pay to watch Bill and Newt go a few rounds?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few rounds" to describe a series of actions, ensure the context makes it clear what constitutes a single "round". For example, "a few rounds of drinks" is different from "a few rounds of negotiations".

Common error

Avoid using "a few rounds" in contexts where the term "round" has a specific, technical meaning (e.g. in engineering or mathematics) unless that is the intended meaning. Otherwise, use a more general term like "iterations" or "steps".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few rounds" functions as a quantifier phrase, specifying an indefinite but small number of iterations or occurrences. Examples in Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from games to negotiations. The Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few rounds" is a versatile quantifier phrase used to indicate a small number of repetitions or occurrences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia and Science context, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a "round" to avoid ambiguity. While acceptable in most contexts, more precise language may be preferred in highly formal or technical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several iterations

Focuses on the iterative aspect, implying a series of repeated actions or processes.

some repetitions

Highlights the act of repeating something a limited number of times.

a handful of cycles

Uses a more descriptive quantifier suggesting a small number of cycles.

multiple stages

Emphasizes the progression through different phases or steps, rather than just repetition.

few successions

Suggests a small number of sequences, actions that follow one another directly.

a couple of times

Quantifies the number of occurrences more precisely, limiting it to two.

several go-arounds

An informal way to say that something is repeated multiple times, typically in a cyclical process.

a selection of stages

This conveys that the action occurs in a selected number of phases, possibly indicating a choice.

a limited number of bouts

Uses the word 'bouts' which can imply an intense period of activity or conflict, providing a nuance.

certain turns

This phrase indicates that the action happens in certain rotations or specific moments.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few rounds" to indicate a small number of repetitions or occurrences of an activity, such as "We played "a few rounds" of golf" or "The negotiators had "a few rounds" of discussions".

What phrases are similar to "a few rounds"?

Alternatives to "a few rounds" include "several iterations", "multiple stages", or "some repetitions", depending on the specific context.

Is it acceptable to use "a few rounds" in formal writing?

While "a few rounds" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, you might consider using more precise language such as "several iterations" or "a limited number of cycles" to convey the same meaning with greater clarity and specificity.

What does "a few rounds" typically imply about the intensity or duration of an activity?

"A few rounds" suggests that the activity is repeated, but not excessively. The intensity and duration depend on the context, but it usually implies a moderate level of engagement rather than a prolonged or exhaustive effort.