a select few of us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a select few of us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small, chosen group of people within a larger context. Example: "Only a select few of us were invited to the exclusive event, making it feel even more special."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

Forbes

The Guardian

Vice

Huffington Post

Los Angeles Times

The New York Times

Britannica

Wikipedia

BMC Pediatrics

WikiHow

Springer

Carbon Balance and Management

TechCrunch

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"There are things in society that benefit a select few of us.

The Guardian - Music

"A select few of us come into this world not bothered by gruesomeness," says Scarpetta in the opening pages of Depraved Heart.

The Guardian - Books

Back then, there was this big separation: you were either a jock or a freak … there were a select few of us who were freaks, and the majority of kids were more into the status quo and being rewarded for being good.

The Guardian - Music

A select few of us at Moving Targets are big Kanye fans, and it's been an ongoing joke in our office.

Forbes

It's a need that only a select few of us are fortunate enough to obtain.

HuffPost

For a select few of us, we wake up each day with the feeling of "There has to be more to life that this!".

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A selected few of us, including myself, have been granted a generous peak at the products at their current stage.

HuffPost

Speaking Tuesday at a campaign stop in South Carolina, the former Florida governor and Republican candidate for president said that the US should welcome a select few of the millions of people fleeing Syria, particularly those who aren't Muslim.

Vice

There are countless serious needs all around us and we realize we can personally only help a select few of them.

Los Angeles Times

It doesn't seem to be designed to be used for events that are meant for a select few of your friends.

TechCrunch

Here's a select few of pop's other superfluous and interchangeable members.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a select few of us", ensure the context clearly defines the larger group from which the selection is made to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a select few of us" when referring to a group that is already inherently small or exclusive. This can create redundancy or sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a select few of us" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a subset of a larger group denoted by "us". Ludwig AI shows that this phrase often introduces an exception or limitation within a broader context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

HuffPost

12%

Vice

7%

Less common in

Wikipedia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a select few of us" is a phrase used to denote a small, exclusive group within a larger "us". As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase serves to highlight exclusivity or limited inclusion. When using this phrase, consider its impact on tone and audience and ensure you clearly define the larger group to which "us" refers. Alternatives include "a chosen few of us" or "a limited number of us", each offering subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A chosen few of us

Substitutes "select" with "chosen", emphasizing a deliberate selection process.

A limited number of us

Replaces "select few" with "limited number", focusing on the restricted quantity.

A restricted number of us

Emphasizes the limited and controlled nature of the group with "restricted".

A privileged few of us

Replaces "select" with "privileged", highlighting the advantage or special status of the group.

The elite among us

Replaces "select few" with "elite", implying a superior or higher-status group.

An exclusive group of us

Uses "exclusive" instead of "select", stressing the limited access or membership.

A handful of us

Uses "handful" to convey a very small quantity of people.

A small circle of us

Replaces "select few" with "small circle", depicting an intimate and restricted group.

A minority of us

Highlights the small proportion of the group compared to the whole.

Only some of us

Simplifies the phrase to indicate that not all members are included.

FAQs

How can I use "a select few of us" in a sentence?

You can use "a select few of us" to indicate that only a small, chosen group within a larger group is being referred to. For example, "A select few of us were chosen to attend the conference".

What can I say instead of "a select few of us"?

You can use alternatives like "a chosen few of us", "only some of us", or "a limited number of us" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a select few of us" in formal writing?

Yes, "a select few of us" is generally appropriate for formal writing, especially when you need to emphasize the exclusivity or limited nature of a group within a larger entity. However, consider the specific tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall message.

What's the difference between "a select few of us" and "most of us"?

"A select few of us" indicates a small, chosen group, while "most of us" implies the majority. The key difference is the proportion of the group being referenced; the first emphasizes exclusivity, while the second emphasizes inclusivity.