a few things exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few things exist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the presence or existence of multiple items or concepts, often in a general or abstract context. Example: "In this vast universe, a few things exist that we still cannot explain, such as dark matter and black holes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But if that's not enough for you, here are a few things that existed in 1940 and don't exist today: Fascism Communism (ish) Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the beginning of my career, l had written a few things about sexism that exists in college from women in STEM subjects to "lad culture" and sexual harassment.

Vice

A few things can be observed.

Bioinformatics

However, a few things can be noted.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The game, he said, is intended to help people "understand a few things – what kind of personal data exists, which attributes are collected, who is collecting this data, why and what they are using it for".

The New York Times

Sunday afternoon's game in Melbourne reminded us of a few things, not least the narrow margins that exist between the top dozen teams in the NRL (four points now separate first and ninth) and the enduring quality of Billy Slater (whose brace of tries in the Storm's 46-20 win saw him overtake Terry Lamb as the third-highest try scorer in NRL history).

The Guardian - Sport

Everything familiar no longer exist, unless you do a few things to minimize the potential damage.

HuffPost

A. A few things.

The New York Times

A few things.

The New York Times - Travel

A few things happened.

The New York Times

Well, a few things.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what "things" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a few things exist" as a filler phrase without specific examples. Always follow up with concrete details to maintain clarity and avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few things exist" functions as an existential statement, asserting the presence or reality of multiple items. It's a straightforward declaration akin to saying something is present. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few things exist" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to introduce a limited number of items or concepts. Ludwig AI confirms it as usable in written English. While not particularly formal, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. Although examples are currently missing in Ludwig, the phrase's purpose is generally to set the stage for a brief explanation or enumeration. To enhance clarity, always ensure the context clearly defines what the "things" are.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some things are present

Replaces "a few" with "some" and "exist" with "are present", slightly altering the quantification and verb choice.

certain items are in existence

Substitutes "a few things" with "certain items" and rephrases "exist" as "are in existence", adding a more formal tone.

some entities are real

Replaces "things" with "entities" and "exist" with "are real", providing a philosophical nuance.

a handful of items exist

Uses "a handful" instead of "a few", changing the sense of quantity, while keeping "exist".

limited elements are available

Employs "limited elements" to replace "a few things" and "are available" for "exist", implying scarcity.

several objects occur

Changes "a few" to "several" and "exist" to "occur", focusing on the happening or presence of objects.

various phenomena are observed

Replaces "things" with "phenomena" and "exist" with "are observed", suitable for scientific or analytical contexts.

only some items are around

Uses "only some" to emphasize limitation and replaces "exist" with the more informal "are around".

a small number of objects are present

Replaces "a few things" with "a small number of objects" and "exist" with "are present", giving a more precise and slightly formal tone.

some aspects are factual

Substitutes "things" for "aspects" and "exist" for "are factual", suggesting a grounding in reality.

FAQs

How can I use "a few things exist" in a sentence?

You can use "a few things exist" to introduce a limited set of items or concepts. For example, "In this vast universe, "a few things exist" that we still cannot explain, such as dark matter and black holes".

What are some alternatives to "a few things exist"?

You can use alternatives like "some things are present", "certain items are in existence", or "some entities are real" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a few things exist"?

Yes, ""a few things exist"" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for subject-verb agreement and article usage.

What's the difference between "a few things exist" and "many things exist"?

"A few things exist" implies a limited number, while "many things exist" suggests a larger, less defined quantity. The choice depends on the intended degree of emphasis.