a few sectors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few sectors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of specific areas or divisions within a larger context, such as industries or fields. Example: "The report highlights a few sectors that are experiencing significant growth this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

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

The Economist

The new jobs were concentrated in just a few sectors such as retail, which is gearing up for the Christmas shopping season.

The Economist

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

Independent

While I am sure that is true in a few sectors, in aggregate real wages and nonfarm payrolls have been stagnant for a decade.

The Economist

A few sectors can be defined as "price taking"; firms are so small that they have no effect on market price.

The Guardian - Business

Energy, water and health are just a few sectors in which necessity and creativity converge to improve lives and create new jobs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few sectors", ensure the context clearly defines what larger domain these sectors belong to. For example: "A few sectors of the economy are showing signs of recovery."

Common error

Avoid using "a few sectors" without providing specific examples or context. This can make your statement vague and uninformative. Instead, name the sectors or describe their characteristics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few sectors" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a plural noun ("sectors"). It serves to quantify the noun, indicating a limited, but non-negligible, number of sectors. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, quantifying sectors within an economy or industry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few sectors" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a limited number of areas or industries. It's versatile, appearing in news, science, and business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to specify a portion of a larger group, and while generally neutral, clarity benefits from specific examples or context. Alternatives include "several industries" or "some segments", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Ensure clear communication by avoiding overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several industries

Replaces "sectors" with "industries" emphasizing the economic aspect. Also, "several" is used instead of "a few".

some segments

Substitutes "sectors" with "segments" which has a slightly different nuance, implying division.

a handful of fields

Replaces "a few" with "a handful of" to indicate a small quantity and "sectors" with "fields".

limited number of areas

Expresses the concept more explicitly using "limited number" and "areas" instead of "sectors".

certain parts

Uses a more general term "parts" to refer to the sectors, indicating a fraction of a whole.

selective areas

Uses "selective" to emphasize the chosen or specific nature of the areas, instead of sectors.

specific divisions

Replaces "sectors" with "divisions" emphasizing that the general field is divided into smaller portions.

narrow range of industries

Specifies that the industries are within a limited scope.

small subset of domains

More technical substitution, using "subset" and "domains".

restricted number of categories

Uses more descriptive phrasing with "restricted number" and "categories".

FAQs

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

You can use "a few sectors" to indicate that only some, but not all, parts of an industry or economy are experiencing something. For example, "A few sectors are experiencing growth while others struggle".

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

You can use alternatives like "several industries", "some segments", or "a handful of fields depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a few sectors" or "few sectors"?

"A few sectors" implies there are at least some sectors, whereas "few sectors" implies there are very few, potentially not enough to be significant. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "a few sectors" and "some sectors"?

"A few sectors" suggests a smaller number than "some sectors". "Some sectors" indicates an unspecified number greater than "a few", but not necessarily a majority.