a handful of cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a handful of cases" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of instances or examples of something. Example: "In the study, we found a handful of cases that supported our hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Other cities get a handful of cases a year.

The New York Times

(In fact, just a handful of cases of emerged).

The Guardian - Opinion

Now we've seen just a handful of cases all winter.

The New York Times

Spelman told MPs in February: "There are a handful of cases where we have had problems".

The Guardian

In a handful of cases, the zeal for valedictorian honors has led to lawsuits.

The New York Times

Violent video games or television were mentioned in only a handful of cases.

The New York Times

Shanghai, which has had only a handful of cases so far, reported its first SARS death.

The New York Times

Officials say this would only happen in a handful of cases.

The Guardian

"There are only a handful of cases like that," she told the Atlantic magazine last February.

The Guardian

But in more than a handful of cases, they have not.

The Guardian - Film

In a handful of cases, the approach shows some early signs of success.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a handful of cases", ensure the context clarifies what constitutes a 'case'. This could refer to legal proceedings, medical diagnoses, or occurrences of a specific event. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a handful of cases" to suggest widespread prevalence or impact. This phrase indicates a small quantity, so ensure your statement accurately reflects the limited nature of the instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a handful of cases" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a small quantity of occurrences. This is evident from the Ludwig examples, which demonstrate its use across various domains to denote infrequent or limited instances of events or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a handful of cases" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote a small number of instances. As shown by Ludwig, it is versatile, appearing in both scientific and news contexts. It's important to use this phrase accurately, reflecting that the quantity of cases is indeed small and not overstating its significance. While generally neutral in register, precision is key, and more specific language might be warranted in certain formal contexts. Be mindful of the implications of the phrase: that the number is small, not statistically significant, or an exception to what is generally true. Given its wide use, "a handful of cases" remains a useful and acceptable phrase in many writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mere handful of cases

Adds emphasis to how small the number of cases is.

only a few examples

Directly states the lack of many examples for something.

a few instances

Focuses on the occurrence of events rather than the legal or medical context.

a small number of examples

Emphasizes the limited quantity of instances used for illustration.

a limited number of situations

Highlights the situational aspect, useful when discussing specific scenarios.

a scattering of incidents

Suggests the events are isolated and not part of a larger pattern.

an occasional few cases

Implies that these situations arise sporadically and infrequently.

a trickle of cases

Conveys a slow and minimal flow of instances over time.

a sparse number of instances

Emphasizes the rarity and infrequency of the events.

isolated instances

Emphasizes that the events are not connected or widespread.

FAQs

How can I use "a handful of cases" in a sentence?

You can use "a handful of cases" to indicate that only a small number of instances of something have occurred. For example: "A handful of cases of the new virus have been reported in the region."

What can I say instead of "a handful of cases"?

You can use alternatives like "a few instances", "a small number of examples", or "only a few examples" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a handful of cases" in formal writing?

Yes, "a handful of cases" is appropriate in formal writing, although more precise language might be preferred in certain contexts. Alternatives such as "a limited number of situations" or "isolated instances" could be more suitable depending on the level of precision required.

What's the difference between "a handful of cases" and "a number of cases"?

"A handful of cases" implies a small number, whereas "a number of cases" is less specific and could refer to a larger, undefined quantity. Therefore, "a handful" conveys a smaller quantity than "a number".