a few tried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few tried" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a small number of people attempted something. Example: "A few tried to solve the puzzle, but it remained unsolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

— Anupreeta Das (@PreetaTweets) 12 Sep 13 A few tried to communicate with Twitter insiders.

The New York Times

A few tried to say that at my age I should be flattered.

The New Yorker

A few tried to report abuse or stop it, but nothing came of their efforts.

The New York Times

A few tried — halfheartedly — to defend the Administration's stand to me; most, including many government employees, were critical of it.

The New Yorker

But, armed with a few tried and tested products, your little bit of grooming savvy will go a  long way.

Independent

Inside the church, more people were milling, while a few tried to sleep on benches or on the floor.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

And a few trying to fight the real fight.

Huffington Post

Here are a few: Try some gentle kisses.

WikiHow

"You get educated after a few tries".

The New York Times - Sports

A few try to win attention by condemning patriotism.

The New York Times

Timing the maneuver exactly right may take a few tries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few tried", ensure the context clearly indicates what they were trying to do. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few tried" when a significant number of people were involved. This phrase implies a small minority, and misrepresenting the scale can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few tried" typically functions as a subject and verb within a sentence, indicating that a small number of entities (people, groups, etc.) undertook some action. Ludwig examples showcase this in various contexts, confirming its direct and simple function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few tried" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a small number of individuals attempted something. Ludwig examples highlight its presence across various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it conveys a sense of limited action or effort. While versatile, it is essential to ensure that the scope implied by "a few" accurately reflects the actual number involved to avoid misrepresentation. Ludwig AI confirms that there is nothing wrong with its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A small number tried

More explicitly states the limited quantity of people who made the attempt.

A handful attempted

Uses "a handful" instead of "a few", conveying a similar sense of limited quantity.

Only a few tried

Adds emphasis on the limited number of people who made the attempt.

Just a few tried

Similar to "only a few", emphasizing the small quantity of individuals.

Several attempted

Replaces "a few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger, but still small, number.

A limited number tried

Explicitly states the number attempting was restricted or not large.

Some endeavored

Substitutes "tried" with "endeavored", suggesting a more determined or formal effort.

A couple tried

Replaces "a few" with "a couple", implying a very small number, specifically two.

A minority tried

Suggests that the group who tried were fewer than those who did not.

A select few tried

Indicates that the small group who tried were chosen or distinct in some way.

FAQs

What does "a few tried" mean?

The phrase "a few tried" means that a small number of people made an attempt at something.

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

You can use "a few tried" to describe a situation where a small group attempted something, for example, "a few tried to report abuse, but nothing came of their efforts".

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

You can use alternatives like "several attempted", "some endeavored", or "a small number tried depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a few try" instead of "a few tried"?

The phrase "a few try" suggests an ongoing or habitual action, while "a few tried" indicates a past attempt. The choice depends on whether you're describing a past event or a current tendency. For example, "a few try to win attention by condemning patriotism" implies a recurring behavior, whereas "a few tried" refers to a specific instance.