a few wiser

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few wiser" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that someone has gained wisdom or knowledge, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "After the discussion, I felt a few wiser about the topic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Bobbing between the moats and the duck islands of the 2009 expenses crisis were a few wiser heads, who grasped that the real threat to democracy was less the taxpayer footing silly symbols of opulence, than the mixing of money and influence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Of course, a few wise men raised doubts.

The Guardian

Of course, there were a few wise guys — or maybe not.

The New York Times

Plus a few wise words and a demo from conductor Sir Mark Elder.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The singer came to see him at a US gig and bestowed a few wise words, afterwards, as to how he might build a career with legs.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Caponigro, who ended up on probation, does not deny that he has trimmed the hair of more than a few wise guys.

The New York Times

Once Obama won, a few wise people in his and Hillary's campaigns – who had been in touch all along – knew there had to be a healing.

The Guardian

In adapting it for television, Nolan and Joy have made a few wise moves, including trimming the film's alternative fantasy worlds, Rome World and Medieval World.

The New Yorker

They managed this thanks to a few wise, if overdue, moves by Coach Mike Woodson to plant Amar'e Stoudemire and Jason Kidd on the bench, writes Ian O'Connor on ESPN.com, and beat the Pacers Thursday night.

The New York Times - Sports

'I said it's great news that he and [Sébastien] Bruno were playing, I gave him a few wise words, then I said: "Please don't run at Charlie too much".

The Guardian - Sport

"As long as the world exercises no restraint in issuing global currencies such as the dollar — and this is not easy — then the occurrence of another crisis is inevitable, as quite a few wise Westerners lament," Xia Bin, an adviser to the central bank of China, wrote in a newspaper managed by the People's Bank of China.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for grammatically standard alternatives like "a bit wiser", "slightly wiser", or "somewhat wiser" to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a few wiser" as it deviates from standard English grammar rules for forming comparative adjectives. Instead, use modifiers that correctly indicate a slight increase in wisdom or knowledge, such as "a little wiser".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few wiser" functions as an adjective phrase, attempting to describe a state of being slightly more knowledgeable or experienced. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's not a grammatically correct construction in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few wiser" is an attempt to express a slight increase in wisdom or understanding. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect and not considered standard English. While it appears in various contexts, primarily News & Media, more conventional alternatives such as "a bit wiser" or "slightly wiser" are recommended for clarity and correctness, especially in formal writing. Therefore, it's essential to opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A bit more knowledgeable

Uses "knowledgeable" instead of "wiser", highlighting the gain in information.

A touch more understanding

Uses "understanding" to replace "wiser", focusing on comprehension.

Slightly more informed

Emphasizes a small increase in knowledge or information, replacing "wiser" with a more direct term.

Slightly better informed

Highlights the improvement in being informed about a topic or situation.

Somewhat enlightened

Replaces the comparative "wiser" with "enlightened" to convey a sense of increased understanding.

Somewhat more insightful

Emphasizes gaining insight, suggesting a deeper level of understanding.

A little more astute

Substitutes "wiser" with "astute," suggesting a sharper perception or understanding.

A little more aware

Focuses on becoming more conscious or knowledgeable about something.

Marginally more perceptive

Emphasizes the improvement in the ability to perceive or understand something.

A shade more experienced

Focuses on gaining experience, which leads to wisdom, instead of directly stating "wiser".

FAQs

How can I use the idea of "a few wiser" correctly?

While "a few wiser" isn't standard, you can use alternatives like "a bit wiser" or "somewhat wiser" to express a slight increase in understanding.

What phrases are similar to "a few wiser" but grammatically correct?

Phrases like "slightly more informed", "a little more astute", or "somewhat enlightened" can convey a similar meaning while adhering to standard grammar.

Is "a few wiser" considered acceptable in formal writing?

No, "a few wiser" is not considered acceptable in formal writing due to its non-standard grammatical structure. Use more conventional phrases like "slightly wiser" or "a bit more knowledgeable" for formal contexts.

What's the difference between "a few wiser" and "slightly wiser"?

"A few wiser" is grammatically unconventional and less clear. "Slightly wiser" is a standard and clearer way to express a small increase in wisdom or understanding.