a very few cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very few cases" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means a small number of instances or occurrences. Example: The company has received a very few cases of defective products, which they are promptly addressing and recalling.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I personally can remember only a very few cases.

Yale University

In a very few cases, they offer it already.

The New York Times - Tech

Until now, the NEF has been used only in a very few cases for atmospheric studies.

Atmospheric Research

"Of course we could have edited things afterward, and in a very few cases we did.

The New York Times

Although Representative Lawrence hypothesized that § 5510 'may operate differently from the original three sections in a very few cases,' 2 Cong.Rec.

Cornell University

As with iris freckles, iris nevi don't cause any symptoms, though in a very few cases they grow rapidly, leading to eye problems, such as glaucoma.

University of California, Berkeley

Nor does the observation that § 5510 might 'operate differently... in a very few cases' from its antecedent provisions lend support to Mr. Justice WHITE's view.

Cornell University

And, obviously, in only a very few cases will those payments measure up to the boom-time bonuses before the stock market went bust.

The New York Times

One reason is because this area is home to oysters that – in a very few cases in the wild – produce incredibly rare South Sea pearls.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It recognizes that in a very few cases the pursuit of knowledge may involve critically important but sensitive areas of technology where the immediate distribution of research results would not be in the best interests of society.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In SlIAA9-crispr, seedless tomato fruits were generated; however, in a very few cases, small numbers of fertilized fruits developed a few seeds, which grew with phenotypes exhibiting the heritable mutation (Supplementary Fig. 6).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "a very few cases" with more precise quantifiers (e.g., 'three instances') when the exact number is known and relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "a very few cases" to describe situations that are actually more common than implied; this can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very few cases" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, specifically describing the limited quantity of "cases". It signifies rarity or infrequency, as demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

43%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very few cases" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to emphasize the rarity of a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is considered neutral in register, making it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context is clear and that the described situation is indeed rare to avoid misleading the audience. Alternatives such as "a small number of instances" or "only a limited number of occurrences" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of instances

Replaces "very few cases" with more formal synonyms, keeping the core meaning intact.

just a few examples

Focuses on providing examples, implying that the total number is minimal.

only a limited number of occurrences

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the occurrences, adding a slightly more formal tone.

a handful of situations

Uses a more informal term ("handful") to convey the limited quantity of situations.

hardly any instances

Uses a more direct and informal way to express the scarcity of instances.

an infrequent set of circumstances

Highlights the rarity and specific nature of the circumstances, using more sophisticated vocabulary.

a minority of situations

Indicates that the situations are not only few but also represent a smaller portion of a larger whole.

a sparse collection of incidents

Uses "sparse" to emphasize the scattered and infrequent nature of the incidents.

a scattering of occurrences

Implies that the occurrences are spread out and infrequent, adding a visual element to the description.

a negligible quantity of events

Emphasizes the insignificance of the number of events, using the term "negligible".

FAQs

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

You can use "a very few cases" to indicate that something happens rarely. For example, "In "a very few cases", the treatment has side effects".

What are some alternatives to "a very few cases"?

Alternatives include "a small number of instances", "only a limited number of occurrences", or "just a few examples" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "a very few cases" or "few cases"?

"A very few cases" is slightly more emphatic than "few cases", highlighting the scarcity. Both are generally acceptable in formal and informal contexts. You could also consider "a minority of situations" for a more formal phrasing.

What's the difference between "a few cases" and "a very few cases"?

"A few cases" indicates a small number, while "a very few cases" emphasizes that the number is exceptionally small. The addition of "very" strengthens the sense of rarity. Consider using the alternatives "hardly any instances" to express this difference.