a handful of dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a handful of dates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small quantity of dates, either in a literal sense (as in the fruit) or metaphorically (as in calendar dates). Example: "For our trip, we only need a handful of dates to plan our itinerary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"We went on a handful of dates, and just lost touch," Ms. Namkung said.

The New York Times

A year in, I had agreed to only a handful of dates.

The New York Times

"Touring institutionalises you and it can make normal life feel mundane," says Vaccines singer Justin Young, recently returned from a handful of dates in the US.

The Guardian - Music

Blondie have more concerts scheduled in September and October, and will reportedly play at least a handful of dates next year.

The Guardian - Music

He is currently on tour in Australia, and is scheduled to perform in Sydney and Melbourne before a handful of dates in New Zealand.

The Guardian - Music

He washed a handful of dates, ate some and gave some to other workers from the neighborhood who had dropped by to break the daily fast.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

We've seen a handful of dating applications that cater to the straight community, and today brings the launch of Grindr (iTunes Link), one of the first iPhone applications geared towards gay and bisexual men.

TechCrunch

To help you land a date, we asked a handful of dating experts and coaches to weigh in with the most common mistakes they see divorcées making in their profiles.

Huffington Post

They're set to play The Great Escape and a handful of UK dates in May.

The Guardian

At a handful of London dates this month, as detailed at myspace.com/lanielanemusic.com/lanielanemusic

The Guardian

Now he is playing a handful of American dates, including this New York concert.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a handful of dates", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to calendar dates (events) or the fruit. Use clarifying adjectives or context clues to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "a handful of dates" is acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a few dates" or "several dates" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your text from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a handful of dates" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a quantifier phrase. It describes a limited quantity of something (dates), functioning similarly to "a few" or "several". As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a handful of dates" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a small number of dates, either referring to calendar dates or the fruit itself. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English, though the specific context is important in order to avoid ambiguity. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, this phrase offers a casual yet effective way to communicate a limited quantity, with alternatives such as "a few dates" or "a small number of dates" available for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few dates

Uses "few" instead of "handful", implying a small but unspecified number of dates.

a small number of dates

Replaces "handful" with a more formal expression, indicating a limited quantity.

a couple of dates

Specifies the small quantity as two dates.

several dates

Indicates more than a couple, but still a limited quantity of dates.

a limited number of dates

Emphasizes the restriction on the quantity of dates.

a sprinkling of dates

Figuratively suggests a sparse distribution of dates.

a smattering of dates

Implies a scattered and not very significant number of dates.

a selection of dates

Highlights a curated set of dates chosen from a larger pool.

a short series of dates

Focuses on the sequential aspect and brevity of the dates.

a sparse set of dates

Highlights the infrequency and limited nature of the dates.

FAQs

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

You can use "a handful of dates" to refer to a small number of scheduled events, as in, "The band only played "a handful of dates" on their tour." You can also use it to refer to the fruit, as in, "I ate "a handful of dates" for a quick snack."

What phrases are similar to "a handful of dates"?

Similar phrases include "a few dates", "a small number of dates", or "several dates". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to place on the small quantity.

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

While grammatically correct, "a handful of dates" might be considered slightly informal for some formal contexts. In such cases, using "a small number of dates" or "a limited number of dates" could be more suitable.

Can "a handful" be used with other nouns besides "dates"?

Yes, "a handful" can be used with various countable nouns to indicate a small quantity, such as "a handful of coins", "a handful of opportunities", or "a handful of supporters".