a few sentences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few sentences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting or providing a brief amount of text or information, typically consisting of two to five sentences. Example: "Please summarize the article in a few sentences to highlight the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few sentences.

The Guardian - Opinion

He spoke just once, a few sentences at the end.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some of her letters are only a few sentences long.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was just a few sentences, but I wanted more".

The Guardian

It's almost impossible to describe "Tubes" in a few sentences.

The New York Times

A better system could be expressed in a few sentences.

The Guardian

Patterson could barely string a few sentences together.

The New Yorker

He spoke a few sentences about the memorials' symbolic power.

The New Yorker

Phillips gives Al Qaeda a few sentences in his introduction.

The New Yorker

He has just nailed the injustice in a few sentences.

The Guardian - Sport

Your ears will start to ring after reading only a few sentences.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting information, specify "a few sentences" to encourage brevity and focus.

Common error

Avoid using "a few sentences" when a single sentence would suffice. Conciseness is key; if you can convey the message effectively in one sentence, do so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few sentences" primarily functions as a quantifier followed by a noun. It indicates a small, limited number of sentences. As Ludwig AI shows, it is often used to specify the desired length of a summary or explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

25%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few sentences" is a common and versatile way to indicate a short length of text, typically two to five sentences. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. It's best used when requesting concise explanations or providing brief summaries. When using this phrase, ensure that the content remains focused and avoids unnecessary elaboration. Alternatives like "several sentences" or "a short paragraph" can be used to convey slightly different lengths. Ultimately, "a few sentences" serves as a practical and clear way to communicate the desired brevity in writing or speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several sentences

Uses "several" to indicate a slightly larger, but still limited, number of sentences.

a couple of sentences

Replaces "few" with "couple", suggesting a smaller number, typically two.

a handful of sentences

Emphasizes a small and easily manageable quantity of sentences.

a brief passage

Replaces the focus on sentences with the idea of a short section of text.

a short excerpt

Similar to "a brief passage", but suggests a selected part of a larger text.

a concise statement

Shifts the emphasis to the brevity and clarity of the message conveyed.

a brief explanation

Focuses on the purpose of the sentences being to explain something quickly.

some brief lines

Uses "lines" instead of "sentences", implying a shorter or more poetic form.

a bit of text

Generalizes to a small amount of written material without specifying sentences.

a quick summary

Highlights the summarization aspect, implying brevity and conciseness.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few sentences" to request a brief explanation or to indicate the length of a summary. For example, "Please describe the project in "a few sentences"" or "I summarized the key points in "a few sentences"".

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

You can use alternatives like "several sentences", "a couple of sentences", or "a short paragraph" depending on the desired length and context.

Is it better to use "a few sentences" or "several sentences"?

"A few sentences" generally implies a shorter length (2-3 sentences), while "several sentences" suggests a slightly longer length (3-5 sentences). Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual length you intend to convey.

What is the difference between "a few sentences" and "a brief summary"?

"A few sentences" refers specifically to the number of sentences used. "A brief summary" focuses on the content being a concise overview, which may or may not be expressed in exactly a few sentences. The latter emphasizes content over sentence count.