a few words

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few words" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a concise statement. For example: "I'd like to leave you with a few words of advice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A few words on each.

The New York Times

A few words were exchanged.

The New York Times

Woodin said a few words.

The New Yorker

She offered a few words.

The New Yorker

A few words of conversation.

The New Yorker

They trade a few words.

The New York Times - Arts

Often a few words.

The New York Times

First, a few words.

The Guardian - Sport

"Some German officials dropped a few words".

The New York Times

A few words in the right key.

The New Yorker

Finally, they hashed out a few words.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and brevity in your writing, "a few words" is a useful expression to signal a short explanation or statement is coming.

Common error

While "a few words" is a common and acceptable phrase, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Try to vary your language by using synonyms like "brief remarks" or "short statement" to add variety to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few words" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. It indicates a brief statement or communication. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few words" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate a brief statement, explanation, or exchange. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it is also used in more informal settings, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles. While it's a reliable phrase, varying your language with synonyms like "brief remarks" or "short statement" can add richness to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief remarks

Replaces "words" with "remarks", emphasizing the formal nature of the statement.

short statement

Substitutes "words" with "statement", highlighting the concise nature of the communication.

quick comments

Uses "comments" instead of "words", suggesting a more casual or informal expression.

briefly said

Focuses on the act of speaking briefly, rather than the content itself.

a couple of remarks

Uses "couple" instead of "few", indicating a very small number of remarks.

some brief thoughts

Replaces "words" with "thoughts", suggesting a reflection before speaking.

a short discourse

Replaces "words" with "discourse", suggesting a more formal and structured discussion.

a succinct message

Highlights the conciseness and clarity of the message being conveyed.

a compact speech

Emphasizes the brevity and structured nature of the spoken communication.

a passing comment

Highlights the casual, almost incidental nature of the remark.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few words" to introduce a brief statement or explanation, such as "Let me say "a few words" about the project's goals" or "He shared "a few words" of encouragement with the team".

What are some alternatives to saying "a few words"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "brief remarks", "short statement", or "quick comments" instead of "a few words".

Is it more formal to say "a few remarks" instead of "a few words"?

Yes, "a few remarks" is generally considered more formal than "a few words". "Remarks" suggests a more deliberate and prepared statement, while "words" is more neutral.

What does it mean when someone says "a few words were exchanged"?

It means that there was a brief conversation or exchange of dialogue between people. The phrase implies that the interaction was not lengthy or substantial.