a small group of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small group of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a limited number of individuals or entities within a larger context, often to emphasize their distinctiveness or significance. Example: "A small group of researchers gathered to discuss their findings on climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She has a small group of friends.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A small group of people from Fullerton?

The New York Times

A small group of clonal raider ants carry larvae.

Princeton University

The event is limited to a small group of students.

Columbia University

Stopdrlaura.com was the brainchild of a small group of activists.

The New York Times

There's a small group of people in period costume.

The Guardian - Travel

He trusts a small group of allies unconditionally.

The Guardian

"There is a small group of Americans," he said.

The New York Times

That it was just a small group of rabble-rousers?

The Guardian - Opinion

"A small group of Beitar fans hurt the club's reputation.

The Guardian - Sport

"A small group of people takes it all.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small group of" to clearly indicate a limited number of individuals or entities when precision is not critical.

Common error

Avoid using redundant qualifiers like "very" or "really" before "a small group of". Saying "a very small group of" can often be simplified to just "a small group of" without losing meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small group of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically a quantifier, modifying a noun. It indicates a limited quantity or number of something. Ludwig shows it's used to specify the size of a collection, as in "A small group of students" or "A small group of protesters."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small group of" is a grammatically correct and widely used determiner phrase that functions as a quantifier. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to specify a limited number of entities or individuals across various contexts, from news and media to academia and business. While generally neutral in register, its formality depends on the surrounding text. When writing, it's best to avoid redundant qualifiers and use the phrase to clearly and concisely indicate a limited quantity. Consider alternatives like "a limited number of" or "a handful of" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A limited number of

Replaces "small group" with a more formal expression emphasizing quantity.

A restricted number of

Highlights that the group is deliberately limited.

A handful of

Suggests a very small and easily manageable quantity.

Several individuals

Replaces "group" with "individuals" to stress the personal aspect.

A select few

Emphasizes the chosen or exclusive nature of the group.

A core group of

Emphasizes that the group is central or essential.

A minority of

Highlights that the group is smaller and less powerful than the majority.

A tiny fraction of

Emphasizes the insignificance of the group's size relative to the whole.

A scattering of

Implies the group is sparsely distributed.

A modicum of

Indicates a limited amount, often used in a more abstract or less concrete context.

FAQs

How can I use "a small group of" in a sentence?

Use "a small group of" to describe a limited number of entities or individuals. For example, "A small group of students volunteered for the project".

What can I say instead of "a small group of"?

You can use alternatives like "a limited number of", "a handful of", or "a select few" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a small group of" or "a small amount of"?

"A small group of" is used for countable items (people, objects), while "a small amount of" is used for uncountable nouns (water, money).

What is the difference between "a small group of" and "some"?

"A small group of" implies a more defined and limited number than the more general term "some". "Some" can refer to an unspecified quantity, while "a small group of" specifies that the quantity is limited and often known.