a few snippets

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few snippets" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to short excerpts of conversation, text, or audio which have been taken from a longer piece. For example, "The author shared a few snippets of her novel at the book signing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But "Waiting for 'Superman' " gives us only a few snippets of teachers at work.

The New Yorker

Here are a few snippets from what the IMF calls its "institutional view" on capital flows.

The Guardian

Mr. Cullum read a few snippets to his wife, Emily, hoping she'd talk him out of doing it.

The New York Times

Ms. Norman, wearing a jaunty cap, sang a few snippets in a presentation of her plans for the festival.

The New York Times

Scrawled onto the grout in between the checkered tiles are a few snippets of early American slave narratives.

The New York Times

But while waiting a few more years for the Rams to rebuild their roster, Bradford could provide a few snippets for highlight reels.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

With OftenType you can also store whole messages, under a 'Message' key, so if you're a formulaic texter you might be able to chain together a fair few snippets before needing to resort to any freestyle Qwerty.

TechCrunch

With the exception of a very few snippets of information, the only other source of evidence on Pyrrho that is close to contemporary is Antigonus of Carystus, a biographer of the mid-third century BCE.

SEP

Here are a few vital snippets we managed to glean.

The Guardian - Film

Boyle revealed a few more snippets to America's Today programme.

Independent

But it's just a few little snippets here and there that kind of was the key".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few snippets", ensure the context clearly indicates what the snippets are excerpts from. This provides clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a few snippets" repeatedly without specifying what the snippets relate to. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and provide specific details about the source of the excerpts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few snippets" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It introduces the idea of providing short portions of something, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few snippets" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to refer to short excerpts or portions of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to provide brief examples or illustrations. While suitable for general use, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic settings. Understanding its function and potential substitutes can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some excerpts

Emphasizes the selection of notable parts from a larger work.

a handful of extracts

Similar to 'excerpts' but suggests a more casual selection.

selected highlights

Focuses on the most important or interesting parts.

several fragments

Highlights the incomplete or disconnected nature of the pieces.

a selection of clips

Suitable when referring to short video or audio segments.

some portions

Focuses on parts of a larger whole, implying division.

several segments

Suggests division into distinct, separate parts.

various portions

Highlights the variety of pieces taken from the whole.

a number of samples

Implies representative pieces chosen to show the character of the whole.

assorted fragments

Indicates a collection of unrelated pieces.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few snippets" to introduce short examples or excerpts from a larger source. For instance, "The presenter shared "a few snippets" from the interview to illustrate her point."

What are some alternatives to "a few snippets"?

Alternatives include "some excerpts", "several fragments", or "a handful of extracts", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a few snippets" in formal writing?

While "a few snippets" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "selected excerpts" or "portions" might be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "a few snippets" and "a few excerpts"?

"A few snippets" generally refers to very short portions, while "a few excerpts" can refer to slightly longer selections. Both are used to present parts of a larger work, but "snippets" implies brevity.