a few speeches

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few speeches" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a small number of speeches, typically in contexts such as events, presentations, or discussions. Example: "During the conference, there were a few speeches that really stood out to the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

There were a few speeches before the film began.

The New Yorker

Outside City Hall Park, there will be a few speeches.

The New York Times

'I've given a few speeches in my life.

The Washington Post

A few speeches, hurried or muffled, became incomprehensible.

The New York Times

There are a few speeches that are quite nice to hear," she said.

The Guardian

A few speeches have been sharpened here by cutting some knotty conceits.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Audrey Hepburn is as enchanting as every as elia Doolittle, the Convent Garden guttersnipe who takes a few speech lessons and cleans up really well.

The New York Times

Although a few speech synthesis techniques exist, the approach wherein speech is synthesized through the selection and concatenation of natural speech waveform units has been largely applied [2], including for the Portuguese language [3-6].

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

So, if you can turn a few speech inquiries into consulting clients, then instead of $2 multiples, you have a lucrative business.

HuffPost

There were only a few speech pathologists that had negative experiences with stroke CPGs.

BMC Health Services Research

If can afford it, you might like to try a few speech or voice lessons.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the content of the speeches, follow "a few speeches" with a descriptive phrase that adds specifics to the context. For instance, 'a few speeches about the economy' or 'a few speeches highlighting recent achievements'.

Common error

Avoid using "a few speeches" repeatedly in a short passage. Vary your language by using synonyms like "several addresses" or "a couple of talks" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few speeches" functions as a determiner + noun, specifying a small quantity of speeches. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts to indicate a limited number of presentations or talks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few speeches" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a small number of speeches. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, but also in scientific and formal settings. To avoid repetition, consider using synonyms like "several addresses" or "a couple of talks". This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing, maintaining a neutral tone. Remember to contextualize the phrase by adding specifics about the speeches' content for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Several addresses

Replaces 'few' with 'several', indicating a slightly larger but still limited number of speeches.

A couple of talks

Uses 'couple' instead of 'few', suggesting a smaller number, and 'talks' instead of 'speeches', making it sound more informal.

Some remarks

Replaces "speeches" with "remarks", implying shorter, less formal presentations.

Brief presentations

Emphasizes the brevity and presentational nature of the speeches.

A handful of orations

Uses "handful" to emphasize a small quantity, and "orations" to suggest more formal, elaborate speeches.

Limited number of speeches

More explicit and less idiomatic than "a few speeches".

A small selection of addresses

More formal and emphasizes the selection aspect.

Occasional speeches

Focuses on the infrequency rather than the quantity.

A sprinkling of talks

Uses metaphorical language to suggest a small and scattered number of talks.

Infrequent addresses

Highlights the rare occurrence of the speeches.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few speeches" to indicate a small number of formal or informal talks, like: "After the ceremony, there were "a few speeches" by the honorees."

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

You can use alternatives like "several addresses", "a couple of talks", or "some remarks depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a few speeches" is generally appropriate in formal writing. While not overly formal, it is a clear and concise way to indicate a small number of speeches without being too casual. More formal alternatives include "several addresses" or "a small number of presentations".

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

"A few speeches" implies a smaller number than "some speeches". "A few" suggests a limited quantity, whereas "some" is more general and doesn't necessarily indicate a small number.