a handful of orders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a handful of orders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of orders, typically implying that the quantity is manageable or limited. Example: "After reviewing the sales report, I noticed that we received a handful of orders this week compared to last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Usually, a handful of orders a day will contain some reference to guns, which Detective Kovach follows up on.

The New York Times

Earlier this year it converted a handful of orders for Airbus A320s into A321neo's, which have just enough range to fly from JetBlue's home base at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to London's Heathrow Airport.

Forbes

But Londoner Bill Colley is one of the few people in the world still proudly building wooden racing boats for commercial sale - although he has barely completed a handful of orders in the last decade because of the dwindling amount of trade.

BBC

As part of that strategy, President Barack Obama has recently decided to move forward with a handful of orders related to the workplace, including a $10.10 minimum wage and new LGBT protections for workers under federal contracts.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In June, President Obama announced a handful of executive orders "to protect innovators from frivolous litigation".

The New York Times

Commercial shipbuilding, which uses capital-intensive, mass-production methods and cheap labor, is a hyper-competitive, unprofitable business that already has too many yards chasing a handful of ship orders.

The Washington Post

Some units will see large numbers of their personnel put on alert, while others may receive only a handful of new orders, including one unit being tapped just for two chaplains.

The New York Times

So with any luck, and just a handful of new orders, perhaps the A380 will finally get the respect it deserves.

Forbes

Since signing on Steve Stringer as its new chief financial officer in late March, the company has been putting out press releases about a handful of new orders from customers.

Forbes

Last year the White House issued a handful of executive orders aimed at weakening collective bargaining rights and making it easier to fire government workers.

Huffington Post

For that reason, the F.D.A. required that the drug be distributed through only a handful of mail-order pharmacies, a cumbersome process for doctors and patients.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a handful of orders", ensure the context makes it clear what type of orders you are referring to (e.g., product orders, executive orders, etc.).

Common error

Avoid using "a handful of orders" when the actual number is significantly more than a small, manageable quantity. This can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a handful of orders" functions as a noun phrase, where "handful" acts as a determiner quantifying the noun "orders". It describes a small quantity. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a handful of orders" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a small number of orders. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While appropriate for neutral and informal settings, more formal alternatives like "a small number of orders" may be preferable in certain professional contexts. Remember to ensure clarity about the type of orders and avoid using it when the actual number is significantly larger than a small quantity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a handful of orders

Emphasizes the limited nature of the orders received.

a small number of orders

Replaces "handful" with a more explicit quantity descriptor.

only a few orders

Adds emphasis to the small quantity of orders.

a few orders

Uses a simpler and more common term for a small quantity.

a limited number of orders

Emphasizes the restriction on the quantity of orders.

a scattering of orders

Suggests the orders are infrequent and dispersed.

a trickle of orders

Implies a slow and minimal flow of orders.

a sparse number of orders

Highlights the lack of abundance in order count.

a modest amount of orders

Indicates the order size is not significant.

a smattering of orders

Presents the orders as somewhat randomly distributed and few.

FAQs

What does "a handful of orders" mean?

The phrase "a handful of orders" refers to a small, easily manageable number of orders. It implies the quantity is limited.

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

You can use alternatives like "a few orders", "a small number of orders", or "a limited number of orders" depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "a handful of orders" is more suitable for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "a small number of orders" or "a limited quantity of orders".

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

Example: "The company received "a handful of orders" for the new product during the pre-sale period."