a few sector

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few sector" is not correct in English.
It should be "a few sectors." You can use the corrected phrase when referring to multiple areas or divisions within a larger context, such as industries or fields. Example: "In our analysis, we will focus on a few sectors of the economy that have shown significant growth."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For completeness, I should mention that this chart misses out a few sector that have negative emissions for the UK, including sugar, paper and, er, weapons, of which Britain is a net exporter, but these add up to only a fraction of a percent of the total, as you can see on the underlying spreadsheet.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Buying a few sector-specific funds may offer another way to get the expertise that fund companies are charging so dearly for.

The New York Times

How many specialised MBAs exist is hard to define, as schools routinely offer some degree of concentration and the dividing line between a general-purpose MBA with a few sector-specific add-ons and one purposely designed around an industry is not always clear.

The Economist

A few sectors are indeed picking up.

The New York Times

There are a few sectors, though, where it's night and day.

The New Yorker

Fine foods, tourism, textiles are just a few sectors that want Equitrade.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The stock declines were across the board with only a few sectors avoiding the plunge.

The New York Times

Mr. Najib said Malaysia could no longer rely on only a few sectors to drive the economy.

The New York Times

Businesses are now planning to hire for the first time in three quarters, although this is concentrated in a few sectors.

The Guardian - Business

The drug sector is constantly looking for 'add on value' companies and this is one of a few sectors I feel upbeat about".

Independent

Furthermore, the government can point to the rapid expansion of a few sectors in what is still mostly an agricultural economy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to multiple sectors, always use the plural form "sectors". For example, "The study focused on a few sectors of the economy."

Common error

Avoid using the singular "sector" when referring to multiple areas. The correct phrase is "a few sectors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few sector" is intended to function as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct form is "a few sectors", using the plural noun.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few sector" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "a few sectors". As pointed out by Ludwig AI, using the plural form of "sector" is essential when referring to multiple areas or divisions. The intention behind the phrase is to specify a limited number of segments within a larger context. While the intended register is neutral, its incorrect grammar makes it unsuitable for formal or academic use. Alternatives such as "several sectors" or "some sectors" can be used depending on the desired level of precision. Ensure that you use "a few sectors" and not "a few sector". While there are a variety of sources where the correct word appears, there is only one instance of the incorrect form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several sectors

Emphasizes more than just a couple, indicating a larger number of areas.

a couple of sectors

Indicates a small number, specifically two areas or divisions.

some sectors

Offers a less specific quantity, implying more than a few but not necessarily many.

certain sectors

Highlights that the sectors being referred to are specific and defined.

a handful of sectors

Emphasizes a very small number of sectors, easily countable.

a limited number of sectors

Stresses the restriction on the quantity of sectors.

specific areas

Shifts the focus to areas rather than sectors, providing a broader term.

particular industries

Replaces 'sectors' with 'industries', focusing on economic divisions.

select segments

Uses 'segments' to refer to portions of a larger market or field.

a small group of sectors

Highlights the sectors form a group that is small.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a few sector"?

The correct phrasing is "a few "sectors"", using the plural form of "sector".

Can I use "a few sector" when referring to just one sector?

No, the phrase "a few" implies more than one. If you're referring to a single sector, you would say "one sector" or "a single sector".

What other phrases can I use instead of "a few "sectors""?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "several "sectors"", "some "sectors"", or "certain "sectors"".

Is there a difference between "a few sectors" and "some sectors"?

While both indicate more than one sector, "a few "sectors"" typically suggests a smaller number than "some "sectors"". The choice depends on the level of precision you want to convey.