a few trials

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few trials" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of attempts or experiments conducted to test something. Example: "After conducting a few trials, we were able to determine the effectiveness of the new drug."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This has enabled acquiring new skills from just a single demonstration or just a few trials.

Columbia University

In a few trials, though, the drugs had little effect on cardiovascular disease.

Harvard University

Engine makers have been working on biofuels for jets, but only a few trials have occurred.

The New York Times

Only a few trials looked at the effects of eating extra oily fish.

The Guardian

Of note, a few trials reported no antihypertensive effect from vitamin D due to suboptimal study design.

Journal of the American Society of Hypertension

After a few trials, the warning signal alone caused Kina to decrease the sensitivity of her hearing.

The New York Times - Science

To complete the optimization of robustness most quickly, the search strategy must derive the maximum amount of information from a few trials.

Harvard Business Review

Heterogeneity continued to remain moderate with large confidence intervals even when extreme values were excluded, showing it was not simply the by-product of a few trials.

Nature

Although a few trials have explored whether bisphosphonates (BPs) prevented recurrent fragility fractures (FFs), little is known about the secondary preventative effects of BPs.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

After a few trials, most of the animals started carrying the right tool with them.

Science Magazine

Instead, the 40-year-old Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) will review only a few trials that pose special risks.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few trials" when you want to indicate that something was tested or attempted a small number of times, implying a limited scope of experimentation or practice.

Common error

Avoid using "a few trials" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "several attempts" or "some tests" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few trials" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "trials". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It quantifies the noun, indicating a limited quantity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

32%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few trials" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate a small number of attempts or experiments. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, making it a versatile expression for various writing purposes. While common, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider synonyms to enhance writing quality. The phrase serves to quantify and set an approximate number to attempts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several attempts

Replaces "few" with a more general term for multiple tries.

a couple of attempts

More specific, indicating exactly two attempts.

a handful of experiments

Emphasizes the experimental nature of the trials.

some tests

More general term that replaces "trials" with "tests".

a limited number of attempts

Highlights the restriction on the number of trials.

a small series of tests

Replaces "trials" with "tests" and uses a more formal tone.

initial experiments

Implies that these are the first few trials conducted.

preliminary attempts

Focuses on the introductory nature of the trials.

early stage tests

Highlights that the trials are in the beginning phase.

a sprinkling of attempts

Informal way of saying "a few trials".

FAQs

How to use "a few trials" in a sentence?

You can use "a few trials" to indicate that something was tested or attempted a limited number of times. For instance, "After "several attempts" the researchers found the optimal solution."

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

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

Which is correct, "a few trials" or "few trials"?

"A few trials" is generally preferred because it indicates a small but non-negligible number. "Few trials" can sometimes imply a more negative connotation, suggesting that the number of trials was insufficient.

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

"A few trials" indicates a small number of attempts or experiments, while "many trials" suggests a large number. The choice depends on the actual quantity and the desired emphasis.