a few transactions

USAGE SUMMARY

'a few transactions' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an unspecified number of transactions; usually fewer than ten. For example, "I made a few transactions on my credit card last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"We will see a few transactions," said Fred Pollock, a vice president at Morgan Stanley Infrastructure, a private equity fund.

The New York Times

RBS says NatWest and RBS accounts should now be updated, with the exception of a few transactions.

The Guardian - Money

Business was sluggish in the first two days of N.B.A. free agency, but a few transactions could have far-reaching consequences.

The New York Times

A few transactions have received significant publicity, like Kenya's deal to lease nearly 100,000 acres to the Qatari government in return for financing a new port, or South Korea's agreement to develop almost 400 square miles in Tanzania.

The New York Times - Magazine

First, the design currently limits the system to handling only a few transactions per second, nowhere near the tens of thousands that credit card networks can handle, nor the tens of thousands more done in cash every second.

The Washington Post

Since after Slade's Case there were still a few transactions that could only be enforced by the action of debt, the cautious pleader would not simply plead that the defendant was indebted to the plaintiff; he had to impress upon the court that the debt arose out of a simple contract and not out of a transaction within the exclusive jurisdiction of debt.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The system is designed to ask for a pin every few transactions, to prevent a thief making small purchases in quick succession.

The Guardian - Money

In all, the authorities observed 130 drug transactions as well as a few weapons transactions, said Mary Jo White, the United States attorney for the Southern District in New York.

The New York Times

Most of those services were sold one-to-one by companies with an established relationship; very few transactions were, in fact, made at e-marketplaces, where service offerings have just begun.

The New York Times

There were very few transactions for a couple of years.

The New York Times

While Etsy doesn't release transaction numbers, we estimate that the company likely handles a few hundred thousand transactions per day.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial activity, use "a few transactions" to indicate a small but unspecified number of exchanges, typically implying fewer than ten.

Common error

Avoid using "a few transactions" when referring to a large number of transactions; use terms like "many transactions" or "numerous transactions" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few transactions" serves as a quantifier followed by a noun. The term "a few" modifies the noun "transactions", indicating a small but indefinite number of them. Ludwig AI indicates it's correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

16%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Unknown/unmatched sources

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few transactions" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a small number of exchanges or business deals. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. It is versatile enough for use in various contexts, from news reports to financial discussions. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the context aligns with the implication of a limited quantity. Related phrases like "several deals" or "some operations" may be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of exchanges

Stresses the act of exchanging, applicable in scenarios involving a reciprocal transfer of items or information.

a couple of deals

More informal way to say a few deals or "a few transactions".

several deals

Emphasizes the business or commercial aspect, implying a slightly larger scale than "a few transactions".

a handful of deals

Uses a more informal and visual metaphor to indicate a small number of commercial agreements.

a few operations

More general, suitable when not explicitly monetary.

some operations

Focuses on the action or process involved, rather than the specific exchange of goods or services.

limited dealings

Highlights the limited nature of the dealings.

a select number of deals

Highlights deals are very specific/exclusive.

limited business

Highlights the restricted nature of the commercial activity, suitable for contexts where the volume is notably low.

a trickle of deals

Implies that only a small number of deals are happening, potentially in a difficult financial environment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few transactions" to indicate that only a small number of transactions occurred, for example: "I only made "a few transactions" this month."

What are some alternatives to "a few transactions"?

You can use alternatives like "several deals", "some operations", or "a couple of deals" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a few transactions" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, though in some formal contexts, more precise language might be preferred.

How does "a few transactions" differ from "many transactions"?

"A few transactions" indicates a small, unspecified number, whereas "many transactions" suggests a large, often substantial, number of transactions.