a handful of points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a handful of points" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of items or pieces of information, typically in a context where the quantity is not large. Example: "In the meeting, I presented a handful of points that highlighted our progress over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Having pulled off a brilliant win against leaders Yorkshire, Durham are now in the driving seat, just a handful of points behind and with a game in hand.

Independent

And all three are just a handful of points away from the top four.

The Guardian - Sport

Completing the list is Watford, where the three main parties are all within a handful of points.

The Guardian

She is ranked No. 2 in the world, just a handful of points behind another American, Claire Liu.

The New Yorker

In the state championship game, the other team guarded Miller, a potential N.B.A. draft pick, with one player, yet he managed only a handful of points by halftime.

The New York Times - Sports

Fulham and Bolton are only a handful of points above them, as are Birmingham, whose financial problems may be the most pressing of the lot.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Of the thousands of games played in the 1990's, there were only a handful of point-shaving scandals, all of which centered on illegal betting.

The New York Times

The majority of Seipin mutations cause C-terminal truncations, along with a handful of point mutations.

Bioscience Reports

Northamptonshire v Leicestershire: Leicestershire are mathematically still in with a shout of promotion if they win with full bonus points, but Glamorgan can deny them just by picking up a handful of bonus points.

The Guardian - Sport

Among a handful of other points of fact, McCartney confirmed that though Lennon was right-handed and McCartney played guitar the other way round, each could play the other's guitar.

The Guardian - Music

Shahar Peer was a handful of ranking points from becoming the first Israeli to crack the top 10 this year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and formality level. While generally acceptable, in very formal writing, more precise language (e.g., "a limited number of points") might be preferred.

Common error

Avoid implying that "a handful of points" represents a substantial or comprehensive overview. This phrase suggests a limited selection, so ensure your subsequent explanation aligns with this small scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a handful of points" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a small, indefinite number of items, typically arguments, scores, or pieces of data. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase is used to describe limited selections or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12.5%

Less common in

Wiki

4.166666666666667%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a handful of points" is a common and generally acceptable phrase used to indicate a small number of items, arguments, or scores. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what the points refer to and consider the audience's formality expectations. Alternatives like "a few points" or "a small number of points" can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of points

Replaces "handful" with "small number", offering a more literal synonym.

a few points

Substitutes "handful" with "few", providing a simpler and more common alternative.

a limited number of points

Adds the adjective "limited" to emphasize the restricted quantity.

a scattering of points

Uses "scattering" to suggest a sparse and somewhat random distribution of points.

a sprinkling of points

Employs "sprinkling" to convey a light and delicate distribution of points.

a selection of points

Changes the focus to the act of choosing a few specific points.

several points

Replaces "a handful of" with "several", indicating more than a few but not many.

a cluster of points

Indicates that the points are grouped close together.

a modicum of points

Employs "modicum" to express a very small or moderate amount of points.

a trace of points

Suggests a very minimal amount of points, almost negligible.

FAQs

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

You can use "a handful of points" to refer to a small number of items, arguments, or scores. For instance, "The presentation covered "a handful of points" highlighting the project's success".

What are some alternatives to "a handful of points"?

Alternatives include "a few points", "a small number of points", or "several points", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "a handful of points" appropriate for formal writing?

While "a handful of points" is generally acceptable, for highly formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "a limited number of points" or specifying the exact quantity.

When should I use "a handful of points" instead of "many points"?

Use "a handful of points" when you want to emphasize that the number of points is small and not comprehensive. "Many points" implies a more extensive and thorough coverage.