a handful of statements

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a handful of statements" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of statements or remarks, typically implying that the quantity is limited but significant. Example: "In her presentation, she made a handful of statements that really resonated with the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A handful of statements remain unambiguous, like the radio code "10-13" — fOfficericer needs assistance".

The New Yorker

Lots of smart people on stage over the course of three days, but a handful of statements stuck out for me in terms of market trends to continue to watch.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Relying on a handful of individuals' statements does not amount to showing a pattern or practice of intentional discrimination".

The New York Times

Microsoft's spokesman, Mark Murray, said the government was referring to "a handful of Microsoft statements talking about the need for clear lines of authority in an American business".

The New York Times

Trump campaigned with DeSantis only once during the primary, at a rally in Tampa in July, and sent out a handful of supportive statements on Twitter, including the message "VOTE FOR RON" in all capitals late Monday.

Huffington Post

Two years ago insurgent groups in Iraq released a handful of e-mail statements a week, usually claiming credit for attacks.

The New York Times - Books

"Going green used to be part of just a handful of organizations' mission statements, but now it's become part of everyone's agenda," said Ashley Katz, communications director for the Green Building Council.

The New York Times

Mr. Cipel returned to his hometown in Israel last week, where he has given a handful of interviews and released statements insisting that he is heterosexual, accusing the governor of forcing him into unspecified sexual encounters and contending that the administration sought to intimidate him into silence.

The New York Times

Peruse any discussion thread on YouTube, blogs, message boards and major news sites and you're bound to find a handful of personal attacks, racist statements, unwarranted insults and so on.

Huffington Post

"We're troubled by these claims but also question [Oxfam's] efforts to paint the whole industry with a broad brush based on a handful of anonymous claims," the statement said.

Vice

The commission initially said the issue only affected a "handful" of EU nationals but a statement later changed this to a "small number" and revealed it was still working out the scale of the problem.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a handful of statements" when you want to convey that the number of statements is small but still significant or worthy of attention. It subtly emphasizes the limited quantity while implying importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a handful of statements" when the actual number is not particularly small or when the statements are trivial. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a handful of statements" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "statements". It quantifies the noun, indicating a small, limited number. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a handful of statements" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a small number of statements. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for use in many contexts, with a strong prevalence in News & Media. While it can be considered slightly informal due to the word "handful", its widespread use in reputable sources makes it a versatile choice for conveying a limited but noteworthy quantity of statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few remarks

Replaces "statements" with "remarks", indicating less formal pronouncements.

several declarations

Substitutes "statements" with "declarations", implying a more formal and assertive tone.

a limited number of assertions

Replaces "handful" with "limited number" and "statements" with "assertions", suggesting a precise and potentially contested set of claims.

a small collection of comments

Uses "collection" to emphasize the group aspect and replaces "statements" with "comments" indicating less formal remarks.

a select group of observations

Replaces "statements" with "observations", implying a focus on perceived facts.

a sprinkling of pronouncements

Employs "sprinkling" for a lighter touch and "pronouncements" for a more authoritative feel.

a scant few reports

Replaces "handful" with "scant few" to emphasize scarcity and "statements" with "reports", giving a factual nuance.

a choice selection of views

Uses "choice selection" to suggest careful curation and replaces "statements" with "views", emphasizing perspective.

a mere handful of points

Adds "mere" to underscore insignificance and replaces "statements" with "points", simplifying the content.

just a couple of claims

Replaces "handful" with "couple" for a more informal reduction and "statements" with "claims", indicating potential dispute.

FAQs

What does "a handful of statements" mean?

It means a small number of statements, implying that the quantity is limited but still noteworthy or significant.

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

You can use alternatives like "a few remarks", "several declarations", or "a limited number of assertions" depending on the context.

Is "a handful of statements" formal or informal?

The phrase "a handful of statements" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards informality due to the use of "handful".

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

You can use it to describe a small number of comments, remarks, or declarations, for example: "The CEO made "a handful of statements" during the press conference regarding the company's future plans."