a handful of tips

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a handful of tips" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to provide a small number of helpful suggestions or advice on a particular topic. Example: "Here are a handful of tips to improve your writing skills: read regularly, practice daily, and seek feedback from others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Starting early this morning, we received a handful of tips indicating that Viber was planning on releasing their Android port come March.

TechCrunch

We're here to help, with a handful of tips that'll guide any introvert through hosting their own holiday party.

Huffington Post

To help my friends, and anyone else, I've come up with a handful of tips regarding web romance decorum.

Huffington Post

Above are just a handful of tips for the typical dry eye sufferer, but most dry eyes sufferers are atypical, and I include myself in that category.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"What do you think?" James asked, surveying the countours of the shore as we stood on the featureless expanse of ice under a bright sun with a Styrofoam bucket full of shiners, a handful of tip-ups, and a bright blue auger that resembled a giant corkscrew.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing says spring like a risotto made with fava beans, tiny green peas and herbs, perhaps with a handful of asparagus tips for good measure.

The New York Times - Food

The Brisbane-based Im is among a handful of performers tipped to do well by online polling and betting sites.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In a tiny inner office, a black.38-caliber pistol lies on the editor's desk near a handful of hollow-tip bullets.

The New York Times

I visited a handful of bargains-tips sites last week and learned of deals that ranged from a modest 20percentt off ($10 off a $50 purchase at Walmart.com) to headier savings reminiscent of last year ($20 off a purchase of more than $20 for new customers at estyle).

The New York Times - Tech

With a nod to the 1978 Cold War-era killing of Bulgarian defector Georgi Markov, the assassin manqué was intercepted on his way to meeting Park while in possession of a handful of poisoned-tip needles — one obscured in a Parker ballpoint pen.

Vice

A handful of venues were tipped as "rising stars" of the future with Tom Aikens in Chelsea, The Ledbury in Kensington and Nathan Outlaw in Fowey, Cornwall, tipped for two and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester for three.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice, use "a handful of tips" to indicate a manageable number of suggestions, avoiding overwhelming the reader. For example, "Here are "a handful of tips" for better time management."

Common error

While "a handful of tips" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound colloquial. Opt for alternatives like "several recommendations" or "a limited number of suggestions" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a handful of tips" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a preposition or verb. It describes a limited quantity of advice or suggestions. As confirmed by Ludwig, the expression is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a handful of tips" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a small number of helpful suggestions. While Ludwig confirms its validity, its usage is more appropriate for informal and neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "several recommendations" or "a limited number of suggestions". The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, offering practical guidance in a concise format. Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few tips

Replaces "handful" with "few", indicating a small quantity but with a slightly less descriptive feel.

some tips

A more general term, less specific about the quantity of tips offered.

a small number of tips

More formal and explicit about the quantity, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

a limited number of tips

Emphasizes the restricted quantity of tips, suggesting exclusivity or scarcity.

a selection of tips

Implies a curated or chosen set of tips, rather than just a random few.

several tips

Indicates more than a few, but still not a large amount of tips.

a couple of tips

Specifically denotes two tips, useful when the exact number is known.

a few pieces of advice

Replaces "tips" with "advice", changing the noun while keeping the meaning similar.

some pointers

Uses "pointers" as a synonym for tips, providing a more informal feel.

a bit of guidance

Shifts the focus to general guidance rather than specific tips.

FAQs

What does "a handful of tips" mean?

The phrase "a handful of tips" means a small number of helpful suggestions or pieces of advice.

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

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

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

You can use "a handful of tips" when you want to provide a limited amount of advice. For example: "I have "a handful of tips" to share about effective studying."

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

While grammatically correct, "a handful of tips" is generally more appropriate for informal or semi-formal contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "several recommendations" or "a limited number of suggestions".