a small number of users

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small number of users" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a limited or few individuals who utilize a particular service, product, or system. Example: "The new feature was only adopted by a small number of users, indicating a need for better promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're just testing the latest version by releasing it to a small number of users.

The Guardian - Tech

BT's support centre had not been told, but later said there was "an issue" affecting "a small number of users".

The Guardian - Tech

Maybe a small number of users receive large volumes of abuse which skews our understanding of how prevalent this is.

The Guardian

Tencent blamed a technical glitch when it admitted that a small number of users outside China had experienced problems.

The New York Times

In a statement on Wednesday, Apple confirmed a "brief issue with the software update process affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability".

The Guardian - Tech

An Apple spokesperson said: "We experienced a brief issue with the software update process, affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability.

The Guardian - Tech

Facebook's official response is below: A small number of users raised concerns after what they mistakenly believed to be private messages appeared on their Timeline.

The Guardian - Tech

Apple has not yet responded to media requests for comment, but this problem only seems to be affecting a small number of users.

Independent

"We've identified an issue where a small number of users were experiencing a problem with questionable website pop-ups in their default browsers as a result of an isolated issue with an ad on our Free tier.

The Guardian - Tech

A Facebook spokesperson later said that an investigation was launched after "a small number" of users raised concerns after what they believed to be private messages appeared on their timelines.

The Guardian - Tech

Apple issued a statement confirming a "brief issue with the software update process affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability", but this has now been fixed.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying the actual number is not important, use "a small number of users" to indicate that only a few users are affected or involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a small number of users" when the actual number is significant. This can downplay the severity of an issue. If the number is substantial, even if it's a small percentage, consider using more precise language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small number of users" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a limited quantity of individuals. Ludwig confirms its use to denote that only a few people are involved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small number of users" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a limited group of individuals. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable in written English. Its primary function is to indicate that a situation or issue affects only a few people, as evidenced by its frequent use in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While alternatives like "a few users" or "a limited number of users" exist, "a small number of users" provides a slightly more descriptive and nuanced tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few users

Replaces "small number" with "few", emphasizing the limited quantity.

a limited number of users

Substitutes "small" with "limited", highlighting the restriction in quantity.

only a few users

Adds emphasis with "only" to underscore the limited quantity.

a handful of users

Uses "handful" to represent a small, manageable quantity.

just a few users

Uses "just" to minimize the quantity of users.

a minority of users

Focuses on the users being less than half of the total.

a select group of users

Implies that the users were chosen based on specific criteria.

a restricted set of users

Highlights a deliberate limitation on the user base.

a trickle of users

Evokes a very slow and minimal influx of users.

a smattering of users

Indicates a scattered and sparse distribution of users.

FAQs

How can I use "a small number of users" in a sentence?

You can use "a small number of users" to indicate that an issue or feature affects only a few individuals. For example, "A small number of users reported experiencing technical difficulties with the new update."

What are some alternatives to "a small number of users"?

Alternatives include "a few users", "a limited number of users", or "a handful of users", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a small number of users" or "few users"?

Both phrases are acceptable. "A small number of users" provides a slightly more descriptive and less abrupt tone than "few users".

How do I determine when to use "a small number of users" versus a more specific quantity?

Use "a small number of users" when the exact quantity isn't crucial to the context, and the focus is on the limited impact. If the exact number is important, provide the specific figure or percentage.