a narrow choice

USAGE SUMMARY

"a narrow choice" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that there are only a few options available. For example: "Given the limited resources at our disposal, we face a narrow choice of solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Most also offer only a narrow choice of doctors and hospitals.Obamacare's design all but guaranteed this.

The Economist

Second, many plans offer only a narrow choice of doctors and hospitals.

The Economist

And many of the plans on the exchange offer a narrow choice of doctors and hospitals.

The Washington Post

She wanted to open up a narrow choice and so she stepped down.

The Guardian

Both singers are similarly gifted and likeable in a low-key way — voters had a narrow choice.

The New York Times - Arts

And the performances of "Squaregame" and "Duets" gave evidence of Cunningham's Haydn-like wit in his formal play within a narrow choice of dance limitations.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Even those who are keen on languages often drop them at this stage now, as schools offer a narrower choice of languages and schedule them against other subjects.

The Economist

With the market dominated by cheap imported fruit, a narrower choice of varieties have been available.

BBC

Having refined the search to a narrower choice, I had to prove my commitment to prospective employers.

Science Magazine

During the rainy season the elephant selects from a narrower choice of habitats.

Plosone

Related to child eating, this could imply that promotion focused feeding practices involve a larger variety of food items being considered, while a more narrow choice set is found with a prevention focus.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a narrow choice", consider specifying the context in which the choices are limited to provide clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a narrow choice" when the options are simply unconventional or require more effort, not genuinely limited. For example: instead of saying "They were left with a narrow choice of materials", you can say "They were left with some unconventional materials".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a narrow choice" functions as a noun phrase, where "narrow" modifies the noun "choice". According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a narrow choice" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates a limited set of options. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate to use when expressing constraints or limitations. While it appears across various domains, it is most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the limitation is genuine and clearly specified. Alternatives such as "limited options" or "restricted range" can also be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited options

A more concise way to express the scarcity of choices.

restricted choices

Simple rephrasing using 'restricted' instead of 'narrow'.

a limited selection

Emphasizes the small quantity of available options.

a restricted range

Highlights the constrained scope of possibilities.

few alternatives

Emphasizes the lack of many different possibilities.

a scarce alternative

Focuses on the lack of plentiful options.

constrained options

Highlights the limitations imposed on available choices.

a finite number of options

Stresses the fixed and limited quantity of choices.

a small set of possibilities

Highlights the limited scope regarding potential outcomes.

a paucity of options

Uses a more formal term to emphasize the scarcity.

FAQs

How can I use "a narrow choice" in a sentence?

You can use "a narrow choice" to describe situations where there are limited options available. For instance: "Due to budget constraints, we had "a narrow choice" of vendors for the project".

What are some alternatives to "a narrow choice"?

Alternatives include "limited options", "restricted range", or "few alternatives", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "narrow choice" or "limited choice"?

Both "narrow choice" and "limited choice" are acceptable, but "narrow choice" may subtly emphasize the constraint or difficulty in making a selection from the few options available.

When is it appropriate to use "a narrow choice" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you need to objectively describe a situation with limited options. Ensure that the context clearly justifies the use of such a phrase and avoid exaggerating the limitation.