a few stops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few stops" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of stops in a journey, typically in the context of public transportation. Example: "I need to get off at a few stops before my final destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were a few stops and missteps.

The New York Times

It was a few stops away.

The New York Times

A few stops later, a middle-aged N.Y.

The New Yorker

Pick a few stops on the Stanley's heritage walk.

The Guardian - Travel

We're hoping for a few stops between here and Indy.

The Guardian

Then, a few stops later, his mistress would get on.

The New Yorker

A few stops later, my mother said: "My wallet's gone.

The New York Times - Magazine

Five subway lines are just a few stops from midtown.

The New York Times

The birds shot hours of video: takeoffs, landings, ocean, and quite a few stops in between.

The New York Times - Arts

He finally woke up as he arrived at a station a few stops before his own.

The Economist

In a few stops, he told them to get off and where to go from there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing travel, use "a few stops" to indicate a short distance or duration, implying convenience and ease of travel.

Common error

Avoid using "a few stops" when you actually mean a significant portion of the journey. "A few" implies a relatively small number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few stops" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating a short distance or duration in the context of travel or movement. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

7%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few stops" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a short distance, particularly in the context of public transportation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and understood. Predominantly found in news and media, it suggests convenience and ease of access. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a small number of stops to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several stops

Emphasizes more than just a couple, suggesting a slightly larger number of stops.

a couple of stops

Indicates a smaller number of stops, specifically two.

just a few stations

Similar to "a few stops" but specifies "stations".

a handful of stops

Suggests a small, easily countable number of stops.

not many stops

Uses a negative construction to indicate a small quantity of stops.

a limited number of stops

More formal and explicitly states that the quantity of stops is not large.

a couple of stations away

Similar meaning but slightly different syntax which indicates stations.

a small number of stations

Replaces "stops" with "stations", suitable for train or subway journeys.

a minimal number of stops

Emphasizes the infrequency or scarcity of the stops.

a short distance

Focuses on the physical proximity rather than the count of stops.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few stops" to indicate a short distance on public transport, for example: "The museum is just "a few stops" from the city center".

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

You can use alternatives like "several stops", "a couple of stops", or "not far" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "only a few stop" instead of "a few stops"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""a few stops"" because "stops" is plural to match "a few".

What does "a few stops away" imply about the distance?

It implies that the destination is relatively close and easily accessible, typically referring to a journey on public transportation like a bus or train.