a few sections

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few sections" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of distinct parts or divisions of a larger document or text. Example: "The report is divided into a few sections, each addressing a different aspect of the research findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Much of the shore has been developed, but a few sections of wild, pristine coast remain.

The Guardian - Travel

In a few sections of the highway near the cellphone towers, it was even faster.

The New York Times - Tech

A few sections achieved what he was aiming for, or came close.

The New Yorker

This time around Nico wrote a few sections, more ideas really than full pieces.

The New York Times - Arts

Only a few sections survive, on a route that is clearly signposted.

Independent

"There are a few sections in West Sussex and further along that are proving hard to organise.

The Guardian - Travel

He transferred some of the solo parts to different voice types and omitted a few sections, including the chorus "Let all the angels of God worship him".

The New York Times

The document is classified, officials said, mostly because of a few sections assessing risk and detailing the pre-positioning of war-fighting matériel.

The New York Times

For the sake of tradition, it will remain in The Times's design vocabulary in the form of subject labels in a few sections, including sports.

The New York Times

Or go back to "Otis" for a second, which is based on a few sections of Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness".

The New Yorker

More than 240 students died in the collapse of Chunyang's school, and only a few sections of crumbling wall stand by the river in Hanwang.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few sections", ensure the context clearly defines the larger whole from which these sections are drawn. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a few sections" when referring to a substantial portion of the whole. If the sections represent a significant part, consider using terms like "most sections" or "several sections" to more accurately reflect the quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few sections" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, modifying the noun "sections". It indicates a limited quantity of sections. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

34%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few sections" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a small number of distinct parts or divisions of a larger whole. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase in written English. It's frequently found in news, science, and wiki contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using "a few sections", ensure clarity regarding the overall context. Alternatives like "several segments" or "a couple of parts" may be considered depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several segments

Replaces "few" with "several" and "sections" with "segments", implying a slightly larger but still limited quantity.

a couple of parts

Substitutes "few" with "couple" and "sections" with "parts", suggesting a smaller quantity, specifically two.

some portions

Replaces "few" with "some" and "sections" with "portions", indicating an indefinite but limited amount.

a limited number of divisions

More formal and emphasizes the restricted quantity of the divisions.

a handful of fragments

Uses "handful" to denote a small quantity and "fragments" to suggest incomplete or smaller sections.

selective components

More formal and selective components suggests a more careful selection of the segments.

certain division

Suggest that the portions of the whole are somewhat important or required.

a minority of fragments

More formal, indicates a smaller set of partitions or fragments.

individual elements

Suggest a particular individual instead of a generic one.

sparse components

Sparse components indicates that there are few parts of the complete whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few sections" to refer to a limited number of parts within a larger document, area or structure. For example, "Only "a few sections" of the coastline remain pristine".

What are some alternatives to "a few sections"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "a few sections" include "several segments", "a couple of parts", or "some portions".

Is it more appropriate to say "a few sections" or "several sections"?

"A few sections" suggests a smaller quantity than "several sections". The choice depends on the actual number of sections you are referring to. "A few" is generally less than 5, while "several" implies more than a few, but not a large number.

When should I use "a few sections" instead of "some sections"?

"A few sections" is best used when you want to emphasize the limited number of sections. "Some sections" is more general and doesn't necessarily highlight the scarcity or limited nature of the sections being discussed. Both are acceptable, but the nuance differs.