a small number of examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small number of examples" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a limited quantity of instances or cases that illustrate a point or concept. Example: "In this report, I will provide a small number of examples to support my argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

In order to learn the concept of stairs, only a small number of examples were required.

ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

In the context of data mining, small disjuncts are rules covering a small number of examples.

Applied Soft Computing

A small disjunct is a rule covering a small number of examples.

Information Sciences

Learning a language, for instance, is a matter of inferring, from a small number of examples, a collection of general rules, each with a potentially infinite number of applications, governing the uses of the words involved.

The New York Times - Books

Clearly, there are a small number of examples where this is not true.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Ontology-based classification using logical definitions gives a flexibility in defining features, even very large ones, or ones that span over a small number of examples but are nevertheless important and would otherwise be lost in the long tail.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

This chapter describes how nature has reengineered some protein scaffolds for a range of functions by examining a small number of example superfamilies.

Advances in Protein Chemistry

Our framework comprises a movement primitive model learned from a small number of example steps that are dynamically feasible and minimize an integral mean of squared torques.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The HOGHOFMBH models achieve good localization performance despite being trained on a small number of example sequences.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The second subsection of the detailed analysis of each data set displays a small number of example records from the data set for manual inspection.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Supramolecular aggregation patterns based solely on these types of interactions were usually zero- or one-dimensional with a smaller number of examples of two- and three-dimensional architectures.

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small number of examples", ensure they are highly relevant and representative to effectively support your point. Prioritize quality over quantity.

Common error

Avoid drawing broad conclusions or making sweeping statements based solely on "a small number of examples". Acknowledge the limitations of the sample size and suggest further research if necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small number of examples" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a limited quantity of items used for illustration or support. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

16%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small number of examples" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase to indicate a limited set of illustrative instances. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. The phrase is best used when you want to support your arguments with carefully selected, representative examples, being mindful not to overgeneralize from them. Its presence across diverse contexts like science, news, and academia suggests its adaptability for formal communication. Remember to prioritize the quality and relevance of these examples to maximize their impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited set of instances

Replaces 'number' with 'set' and 'examples' with 'instances', emphasizing the bounded nature of the group.

a handful of cases

Uses 'handful' to denote a small quantity, replacing 'examples' with 'cases' for a more general application.

a few illustrations

Substitutes 'small number' with 'few' and 'examples' with 'illustrations', highlighting the illustrative aspect.

a sparse collection of instances

Emphasizes the scarcity by using 'sparse collection' instead of 'small number' and 'instances' instead of 'examples'.

a restricted range of examples

Focuses on the limited scope with 'restricted range', maintaining 'examples' for clarity.

a select group of instances

Highlights the particular choice of instances by using 'select group'.

a modest quantity of examples

Replaces 'small number' with 'modest quantity', softening the assertion of limitedness.

a narrow selection of cases

Emphasizes the constrained selection using 'narrow selection' instead of 'small number' and cases instead of examples.

a smattering of instances

Conveys a sense of randomness and small quantity with 'smattering'.

a trace of instances

Emphasizes the scarcity of instances using the word 'trace'.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a small number of examples" in my writing?

When using "a small number of examples", select instances that are highly relevant and clearly illustrate your point. Provide sufficient context for each example to ensure its significance is understood.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a small number of examples"?

You can use alternatives like "a few illustrations", "a handful of cases", or "a limited set of instances" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a small number of examples" in formal writing?

Yes, "a small number of examples" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that the examples are well-chosen and adequately support your argument. If the number of examples is extremely limited, consider acknowledging this limitation.

What's the difference between "a small number of examples" and "many examples"?

"A small number of examples" indicates a limited quantity of instances, while "many examples" suggests a large quantity. Choosing the appropriate phrase depends on the actual number of examples you are providing and the impression you want to convey.