a mere few

USAGE SUMMARY

'a mere few' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as an understatement to emphasize a small amount of something. For example: "He only had a mere few coins in his pocket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today's Jewish population in Egypt is a mere few dozen.

The New York Times

Our Spring semester just ended, and graduation was a mere few weeks ago.

Columbia University

Other times it can take a mere few minutes and get me somewhere worthwhile.

The New Yorker

Dresses for a mere few thousand dollars actually look machine-made in comparison.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nevertheless, the early signs thus far are encouraging with a mere few weeks to go.

The Guardian - Business

Although he has worked wonders in a mere few months, he has had the political winds behind him.

The Economist

Trump's presidential memorandum, issued a mere few days into his presidency, effectively led to the abandonment of the EIS and an expedition of pipeline construction.

Columbia University

The streaming continues, a mere few seconds behind the over-the-air broadcast, until the subscriber has received the entire show.

Harvard University

"[T]he number of accessible books currently available to the blind for borrowing is a mere few hundred thousand titles, a minute percentage of the world's books.

Harvard University

It's smack in the middle of the city's upscale Sanlitun neighborhood, which means that retail therapy is a mere few feet away.

The New York Times - Travel

And when lectures can often amount to a mere few hours per week, it's unsurprising that developing friendships with coursemates can similarly prove challenging.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere few" to subtly express surprise or disappointment about a small quantity. It adds a touch of irony or understatement.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere few" in highly formal or technical writing where precision is paramount. Opt for specific numbers or more neutral quantifiers to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere few" functions as a quantifier, specifically an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a quantity that is considered surprisingly small or insignificant. Ludwig showcases its usage in various contexts, emphasizing its role in expressing understatement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere few" is a versatile quantifier used to emphasize a small quantity, often with a hint of surprise or disappointment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It appears frequently in news, academic writing, and scientific contexts, making it a useful phrase to have in your writing toolkit. Remember to avoid using it in situations requiring precise numerical data, and be mindful of potential negative connotations. Consider using alternatives like "only a handful" or "a tiny number" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly any

Simple and direct way to express that the amount is very small or almost non-existent.

a tiny number

Directly states the smallness in numerical terms.

a scarce few

Stresses the rarity and limited availability.

only a handful

Emphasizes the small number by using a more descriptive term.

a limited number

Emphasizes the restrictions and smallness of the group.

a paltry amount

Highlights the insignificance and lack of value in the quantity.

a negligible few

Indicates the quantity is so insignificant it can be ignored.

a nominal quantity

Focuses on the quantity being so small it's almost negligible.

just a sprinkling

Implies a very small and lightly distributed quantity.

precious little

Underlines the lack of abundance and potential value despite smallness.

FAQs

How can I use "a mere few" in a sentence?

Use "a mere few" to emphasize that a quantity is surprisingly or disappointingly small. For instance, "A mere few dollars wasn't enough to cover the expenses."

What are some alternatives to "a mere few"?

Alternatives include "only a handful", "just a sprinkling", or "a tiny number", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a mere few" formal or informal?

"A mere few" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for most writing contexts but might be too subjective for strictly formal or technical documents.

When is it inappropriate to use "a mere few"?

Avoid using "a mere few" when you need to be precise about the quantity. In scientific or statistical contexts, use exact numbers instead. Also, be cautious when the small quantity could be seen as offensive or dismissive to someone.