a few shekels

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few shekels" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small amount of money, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I only have a few shekels left after buying lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"What can a few shekels do at the end of the day?" Hanan asks.

The Guardian

"I've been a civil servant for a dozen years and I'm not going to throw it away for a few shekels," Mr. Reisman said.

The New York Times

People are taking the risk to open their small businesses to secure a few shekels to buy some bread and water.

The Guardian

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few shekels, placing them gently in the woman's hand and then quickly walked on.

The New York Times - Travel

In front of Imad are wooden sticks, stretchers for the kites the children make to fly or sell for a few shekels.

The Guardian

For those of you entering this or that writing competition or perhaps applying for a grant, hoping to scrape together a few shekels so you can buy kitty litter – behold and weep!

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

My holdings were a paltry few shekels in blue chips, and they had had a boring ho-hum year of 20percentt gains.

The New York Times

go wait in line, smile at the teller and pay their 50 shekels". Last December, two other Israeli financial institutions, Bank Leumi and Discount Bank, canceled "a few million shekels" worth of unlinked student loans made between 1973 and 1982 after their value had been almost completely eroded by inflation.

Los Angeles Times

Downey has bragged about the show's low budget, but the result is so cringe-inducing that one wishes History had tossed them a few more shekels.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I saw energetic, smart young women learning about the world in university, and I saw young girls who spent their days sorting through trash to find reusable materials to sell to factories for a few measly shekels.

The New York Times

While making things easier on yourself and your family, by earning a few more shekels, is not a bad idea, just make sure you don't sell your soul trying to do it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few shekels" to add cultural context when discussing small amounts of money, particularly in relation to Israel or Jewish culture. This can enrich your writing and make it more relatable.

Common error

Avoid using "a few shekels" when the context has nothing to do with Israeli currency or culture. It can sound out of place and confuse readers who are unfamiliar with the term. Opt for more universal terms like "a small amount of money" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few shekels" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition to denote a small quantity of money. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few shekels" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a small amount of money, particularly within contexts related to Israel or Jewish culture. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and usability. While "a few shekels" is most frequently found in news and media, it also appears in academic writing and general online content. It is important to consider the cultural context when using this phrase and to opt for more universal terms like "a small amount of money" when the context is not directly related to Israel or Jewish culture. While alternatives exist, using "a few shekels" adds a layer of cultural richness and specificity when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of shekels

Uses a more precise quantifier and retains the currency.

a small amount of money

Replaces the specific currency with a more general term for money.

a small sum

Emphasizes the insignificant value of the money.

a bit of cash

Uses a more informal term for money, suggesting a modest sum.

a meager amount

Highlights the inadequacy of the money.

a pittance

Emphasizes the extremely small amount of money.

a handful of coins

Focuses on the physical form of the money, implying a small quantity.

a modest payment

Refers to the money in the context of a transaction.

a trifling sum

Indicates that the money is of little importance.

some spare change

Suggests the money is extra and not essential.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few shekels" to describe a small amount of money, especially within a context related to Israel or Jewish culture. For example: "He earned "a few shekels" selling kites on the beach."

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

You can use alternatives like "a small amount of money", "a bit of cash", or "a small sum" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a few shekels" in all situations when referring to small amounts of money?

No, it's not appropriate in all situations. Using "a few shekels" is best when the context is related to Israel or Jewish culture. Otherwise, it might be more appropriate to use a more general term like "a small amount of money".

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

"A few shekels" is the correct usage. Omitting the article "a" would make the phrase grammatically incorrect in most contexts. "Few shekels" might be used in a more formal or literary context, but ""a few shekels"" is the more common and generally appropriate form.