a few shareholders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few shareholders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of individuals who own shares in a company or organization. Example: "During the meeting, a few shareholders expressed their concerns about the company's future direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

A few shareholders asked pointed but polite questions, but most supported Dimon.

The New York Times

I do not feel that in a co-op building only a few shareholders can use their units.

The New York Times

For Cash, the short changing of passengers to benefit a few shareholders is symptomatic of the current regime – austerity for the many and prosperity for the few.

The Guardian

People rightly want to know if he can create jobs and improve the economy for all people, not just for a few shareholders at the expense of American workers.

The New York Times

Canadian Pacific, which unlike many large Canadian corporations is not controlled by a family or just a few shareholders, reacted quickly and met with Mr. Ackman four days later.

The New York Times

An Assessment for Hallway Work Q A few shareholders who are trying to sell their apartments have convinced our co-op board that a hallway renovation would increase their apartment values.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

A larger family stake can serve as a useful poison pill against a hostile takeover bid.Families can retain control more easily if, as in Ford's case, the company has a share structure that gives special voting rights to a select few shareholders.

The Economist

If this is a company focused on shareholder value, it is a few specific shareholders who get a disproportionate share of that value: Richard Manoogian, the CEO, and his lieutenants.

Forbes

Whatever the explanation, it would be a good thing if the few shareholders outside the VW's tight circle of control – the Porsche and Piëch families, the state of Lower Saxony, the Qataris and the unions – joined Hohn in making a fuss over corporate governance.

The Guardian - Business

FEW shareholders of NVR Inc., a large home builder and mortgage lender, have grumbled about the compensation of Dwight C. Schar, its chief executive.

The New York Times

We define as "private" a company that either has too few shareholders to be required to file public financial statements or restricts its share ownership to a limited group, like employees.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few shareholders", ensure the context clearly indicates why their actions or opinions are noteworthy, despite their small number. For example, specify if they represent a significant portion of shares or have a history of influencing company decisions.

Common error

Avoid automatically dismissing the influence of "a few shareholders". Even a small group can exert considerable pressure if they hold substantial voting power or command significant media attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few shareholders" functions as a determiner + noun, specifying a limited quantity of individuals holding shares in a company. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few shareholders" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a small group of shareholders. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its regular usage across diverse sources. While the phrase is suitable for neutral registers like news and business contexts, writers should consider whether "some stockholders" or "several investors" better align with their intended meaning and level of formality. It's crucial to avoid assuming that "a few" implies insignificance; even a small group of shareholders can exert influence. Remember to use this phrase strategically, providing context that explains the relevance or impact of these "few shareholders" in the given situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some stockholders

Replaces "shareholders" with its synonym "stockholders", maintaining the original meaning.

several investors

Substitutes "a few" with "several" and "shareholders" with "investors", implying a small but indefinite number of stakeholders.

a minority of shareholders

Emphasizes the small proportion of shareholders, adding a sense of contrast with the majority.

a small group of stockholders

Rephrases to highlight the limited size of the group owning stock.

a handful of investors

Uses "handful" to signify a small quantity of investors, adding an informal tone.

certain stockholders

Indicates some specific stockholders but avoids quantifying them, implying a select group.

limited number of shareholders

Highlights the limited quantity of shareholders, making it suitable for formal contexts.

select group of shareholders

Emphasizes the exclusivity and small size of the shareholders group.

some key investors

Highlights the importance of some investors while keeping the number undefined.

a scattering of shareholders

Implies a distributed and small number of shareholders.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few shareholders" to indicate that a small number of individuals who own shares in a company or organization did something or expressed an opinion. For instance, "A few shareholders raised concerns about the CEO's compensation package during the annual meeting".

What's a more formal alternative to "a few shareholders"?

Alternatives such as "a minority of shareholders" or "a limited number of shareholders" can be used in more formal or professional contexts to maintain a serious tone.

Is there a difference between "a few shareholders" and "several shareholders"?

While both phrases indicate a small quantity, "a few shareholders" generally suggests a smaller number than "several shareholders". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "a few shareholders" significantly impact a company's decisions?

Yes, even if they are a small group, "a few shareholders" can have a significant impact, especially if they collectively hold a substantial portion of the company's stock or are particularly vocal and influential.