a very few

USAGE SUMMARY

"a very few" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to convey the idea that a particular number or amount of something is very small or limited in comparison to the whole. For example, "There were only a very few people at the park today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A "very few" came that day anyway.

The New Yorker

There are a very few exceptions.

The Guardian - Books

"There are a very few employees.

The New York Times

"A very few have taken offense.

The New York Times - Magazine

Only a very few would have.

The Guardian - Sport

This serves a very few people".

The New York Times

It's a very few number of players.

The New York Times

Only a very few persons had this permission.

Yale University

Only a very few also have slides or negatives enclosed.

Cornell University

I personally can remember only a very few cases.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's way too expensive to benefit a very few.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a very few" when you want to emphasize that the quantity is not just small, but significantly small. It adds a stronger sense of limitation than simply saying "a few".

Common error

Avoid using "a very few" when "a few" would suffice. Overusing "very" can weaken your writing; reserve it for situations where you genuinely want to stress the limited quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very few" functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier. It modifies a noun to indicate a small and limited quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. Examples show it used to describe numbers of people, items, or instances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very few" is a grammatically sound and frequently used quantifier to denote a significantly small quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for use in written English across various contexts. Its function is to express scarcity, and its register is generally neutral. It appears most often in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, remember that while it can often replace "a few", it adds extra emphasis on the limited number. Consider alternatives like "hardly any" or "just a handful" when appropriate to add impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tiny number

Stresses the extremely small quantity.

just a handful

Indicates a small, easily countable number.

hardly any

Emphasizes the scarcity even more strongly than "a very few".

scarcely any

Similar to "hardly any", emphasizing the limited existence.

a select few

Highlights the exclusivity or special nature of the small group.

almost none

Conveys near absence, stronger than "a very few".

a small minority

Focuses on the limited proportion compared to a larger group.

precious few

Adds a sense of value or desirability to the scarcity.

a sprinkling of

Suggests a sparse distribution or occurrence.

an insignificant amount

Highlights the lack of importance due to the small quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "a very few" in a sentence?

Use "a very few" to indicate a significantly small quantity. For example, "A very few students submitted their assignments on time."

What are some alternatives to "a very few"?

Alternatives include "just a handful", "hardly any", or "a select few" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "a few" and "a very few"?

"A few" indicates a small number, while "a very few" emphasizes that the number is exceptionally small. The addition of "very" amplifies the sense of scarcity.

Can "a very few" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a very few" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to express a limited quantity, as demonstrated in news articles and academic papers.