a handful of regulars

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a handful of regulars" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of people who frequently visit a particular place, such as a bar or café. Example: "The café has a handful of regulars who come in every morning for their coffee fix."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A handful of regulars provided the color.

The New York Times

A handful of regulars — retirees — were propping up the bar.

The New Yorker

A handful of regulars has it down; it's a sort of buoyant three-step shuffle.

The New York Times

The bartender, Jimmy Sullivan, exchanged long-forgotten stories with a handful of regulars there to pay last respects.

The New York Times

Marc-Andre Fleury made 25 saves for Penguins, who were without a handful of regulars including captain Sidney Crosby.

The Guardian - Sport

While Officer Martinez hopes to expand the V.F.W.'s ranks, Mr. De Angelis says Post 2652 is "a paper post" with only a handful of regulars.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Jeremiah attends a handful of regular season college games and a half-dozen bowl games each year.

The Washington Post

In conjunction with the Fall Books issue, a handful of regular contributors discuss what's on their night tables.

The New Yorker

Ms. Flynn said waitresses on the morning shift have noted the absence of a handful of regular customers since the attacks.

The New York Times

The proof is in a handful of regular nights, such as 8x8 at Petworth's Looking Glass Lounge, where eight comedians get eight minutes apiece every other Monday evening.

The Guardian - Travel

But the panache of the singing, and the radiant complexity of the music -- an achievement shared by Mr. Rodriguez Lopez and a handful of regular collaborators, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante -- drive the album relentlessly forward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a small group of people who frequent a place or event, "a handful of regulars" is a concise and easily understandable phrase. Use it to add a touch of familiarity and informality to your writing.

Common error

While "handful" suggests a small number, it's not a precise measurement. Avoid using it when an exact number is known or necessary; instead, state the specific quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a handful of regulars" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its common usage in describing a small group of people who frequent a particular place or activity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a handful of regulars" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that refers to a small number of people who frequently attend or visit a particular place. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appears most often in news and media contexts. While "handful" implies a small quantity, it's essential to avoid using it when precision is required. Consider alternative phrases like "a few regulars" or "a small group of regulars" for similar meanings, and remember that the register is generally neutral. The phrase enjoys consistent usage across various authoritative sources, making it a reliable choice for describing familiar faces in a given setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A small number of frequent visitors

Replaces "handful" with "small number" and "regulars" with "frequent visitors", maintaining the same meaning.

A few steady customers

Uses "few" instead of "handful" and "steady customers" instead of "regulars", slightly shifting the emphasis.

A select group of habitual attendees

Employs more formal language, replacing "handful" with "select group" and "regulars" with "habitual attendees".

A core of loyal patrons

Substitutes "handful" with "core" and "regulars" with "loyal patrons", suggesting a dedicated group.

A limited number of usual suspects

Uses a more informal and potentially humorous tone, replacing "regulars" with "usual suspects".

Some frequent faces

A more concise way of expressing the same idea, using "frequent faces" instead of "a handful of regulars".

A sprinkling of consistent participants

Replaces "handful" with "sprinkling" suggesting a more scattered group and "regulars" with "consistent participants".

A cluster of devoted members

Emphasizes the loyalty of the group, replacing "regulars" with "devoted members".

A nucleus of dedicated followers

Suggests a central group of followers, using "nucleus" instead of "handful" and "dedicated followers" instead of "regulars".

The familiar faces

Short, casual, and implies a known group of people.

FAQs

What does "a handful of regulars" mean?

The phrase "a handful of regulars" refers to a small number of people who frequently visit a particular place, attend an event, or participate in an activity.

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

You can use alternatives like "a few regulars", "a small group of regulars", or "frequent visitors" depending on the context.

Is "a handful of regulars" formal or informal?

"A handful of regulars" leans towards the informal side. For more formal contexts, consider using "a small number of frequent attendees" or "a select group of patrons".

How do I use "a handful of regulars" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a small group of people who are consistently present. For example, "The coffee shop relies on "a handful of regulars" for its morning business."