a few worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few worked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of people or things that have completed a task or functioned properly. Example: "Out of all the prototypes we tested, a few worked as intended, while others failed to meet our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A few worked at city car dealerships, insurance companies or restaurants.

The New York Times - Sports

I knew plenty of students who, like me, were on financial aid (read: poor), but only a few worked reunions.

The New York Times - Magazine

"A few worked hard - Joe [Mason] came in and did well, Chris Eagles played well and showed energy and Darren Pratley also came in to do well".

BBC

A few worked with the city.

Vice

A few worked for banks, others for title companies, and one guy was about to start at the UPS store.

Vice

Since just a few worked exclusively afternoon shifts, this category was combined with the morning shift.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Although there were still many artists, only a few working boats remained.

The Economist

"I came to broker a few working relationships, and that's happened.

The Guardian - Money

A few working hypotheses have been already discussed previously (17).

Human Molecular Genetics

General practice in the UK is largely managed in partnerships of GPs with a few working single-handedly [ 5].

BMC Health Services Research

I got ahead on a few work projects.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few worked", ensure the context clearly defines what the subjects are and what 'worked' implies in that situation. For instance, specify "a few solutions worked" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few worked" without specifying the total number or scope. If you write "a few worked", your readers should understand whether 'a few' is out of 5, 50, or 500. This helps maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few worked" functions as a statement indicating that a small number of items or individuals were successful or effective. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

46%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few worked" is grammatically correct and used to indicate that a small number of items or individuals were successful or functional. Ludwig AI analysis shows the phrase appears in both news and scientific contexts. To use it effectively, ensure clarity about what subjects are and what constitutes 'worked' in that situation. Alternatives like "several were effective" or "some proved successful" can be used depending on the intended emphasis. Remember that using "a few worked" correctly involves providing enough context for the reader to understand the scope of the success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number functioned

Replaces "worked" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the functional aspect.

several were effective

Emphasizes the effectiveness of a limited number, differing slightly in connotation.

some proved successful

Highlights the success of a few, shifting the focus from effort to outcome.

a handful were operational

Uses "handful" to denote a small quantity and "operational" to suggest functionality.

a couple were productive

Focuses on the productivity of a small number.

just a few were in order

This variant focuses on compliance and being in order.

only a few were active

Highlights that only a small portion was actively working or participating.

certain ones were effective

Indicates particular items or individuals were effective, rather than all.

limited number succeeded

Changes the sentence structure slightly while keeping the overall meaning.

only some were operative

Focuses on how only a small portion was operative in a given context.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few worked" to indicate that a small number of items or individuals were successful or functional, such as "Out of all the prototypes, "a few worked" as intended".

What are some alternatives to "a few worked"?

Alternatives include phrases like "several were effective", "some proved successful", or "a handful were operational" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a few worked"?

Yes, "a few worked" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is used to indicate that a limited number of items or people were successful or functional in some way.

In what contexts is "a few worked" commonly used?

"A few worked" is often used in contexts where you are discussing outcomes, solutions, or attempts, and only a small portion of them were successful. It's common in both technical and general discussions.