a few workers

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few workers" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an unspecified but small number of people who are doing a job. For example, "The construction company hired a few workers to finish the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few workers tidied up.

The New York Times

They sent in a few workers to go down mineshafts.

Harvard Business Review

A few workers left the main building on their own when they smelled gas.

The New York Times

Starting out, a few workers did not take well to the situation, and she fired them.

The New York Times

Talk to a few workers laboring under conditions that no American could accept.

The New Yorker

A few workers are marching up the arms of his linen jacket and across his shoulders.

The Guardian

A few workers also had the cost of pruning shears unlawfully deducted from their wages.

The Guardian

In addition, changing the habits of a few workers may affect the behavior of many more.

The New York Times

A few workers lingered in the parking lot on Friday to say their goodbyes.

The New York Times

The bank was about to close; only a few workers remained.

The New York Times

That was true of only a few workers, according to Antonio Ligon, a spokesman for Hacienda Luisita Incorporated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few workers", ensure the context provides enough information about the type of work they are doing or their role in the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a few workers" when the exact number is known and relevant. Specify the exact number for clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few workers" functions primarily as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a small quantity of people engaged in some form of labor. Ludwig AI supports the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few workers" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a small, unspecified number of people engaged in some form of labor. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for written English, with numerous examples found in news articles, scientific publications, and business-related content. Its primary function is to provide context and detail about a group of people in a specific work-related situation. While the phrase is neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "a small number of personnel" might be preferable in certain contexts. The key is to ensure that the context provides sufficient information about the nature of their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several employees

Replaces "workers" with "employees", implying a more formal relationship with an organization; "several" is slightly more precise than "a few".

a handful of laborers

Substitutes "workers" with "laborers", emphasizing manual or physical work; "handful" suggests a very small number.

some staff members

Replaces "workers" with "staff members", indicating individuals who are part of a team; "some" is less specific than "a few".

a small number of personnel

Uses "personnel" instead of "workers", often used in a more official or administrative context; "small number" is a more formal quantifier.

a couple of colleagues

Replaces "workers" with "colleagues", suggesting a sense of partnership or shared profession; "couple" implies approximately two individuals.

a limited number of operators

Substitutes "workers" with "operators", which might refer to people operating machinery or technical equipment; "limited number" is more formal.

a scattering of hands

Employs "hands" as a metaphor for workers, typically in a manual labor context; "scattering" conveys a sense of distribution or randomness.

a select group of agents

Replaces "workers" with "agents", implying that they are acting on behalf of someone or something, and "select group" suggests that the workers were deliberately chosen.

certain members of the workforce

Uses "workforce" as a collective noun and specifies "certain members", implying particular or specified individuals.

a few individuals

Substitutes "workers" with the more general term "individuals", which may not necessarily imply any work-related context.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few workers" to describe a small, unspecified number of people engaged in some kind of labor or activity. For example: "A few workers were seen repairing the road."

What are some alternatives to "a few workers"?

Alternatives include "several employees", "a handful of laborers", or "some staff members", depending on the specific context and the nature of their work.

Is it appropriate to use "a few workers" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "a few workers" is generally neutral in tone. In more formal contexts, you might consider "a small number of personnel" or "certain members of the workforce" for added precision and formality.

What does "a few workers" imply about the total number of workers?

"A few workers" suggests that the number of workers involved is small, but it doesn't give a precise number or percentage of the total workforce. It implies that there are more workers than just one or two, but not a large group.