a very small number

USAGE SUMMARY

'a very small number' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the minuteness of a certain amount. For example: "Only a very small number of people attended the movie premiere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"We did identify a very small number of accounts that were accessed directly through compromised credentials.

The Guardian - Tech

It was a very small number.

The New York Times

A very small number of North Dakota voters.

The New York Times

"It's a very small number," he said.

The New York Times

It is a very small number who say so.

The Guardian

"Only a very small number of HSBC clients are concerned.

The Guardian - Business

But this benefit affects a very small number of people.

The Guardian

A very small number have committed violent rapes.

The New Yorker

Only a very small number were aged over 30.

The Guardian

Only a very small number of clinicians know about this.

The New York Times - Magazine

We have consolidated them down to a very small number".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a very small number" when you want to emphasize how few items or individuals are involved, often to downplay the significance or impact of something.

Common error

Avoid using "a very small number" if the few items or individuals have a disproportionately large impact or significance. In such cases, a more neutral or even emphatic term might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very small number" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies and quantifies the noun, indicating that the quantity is notably low. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a usable and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very small number" is a versatile expression used to indicate a notably low quantity, often to minimize or downplay the significance of what's being described. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. Its presence across various domains, including news, science, and business, suggests its broad applicability and neutral register. While alternatives like "a minimal number" or "a tiny number" exist, "a very small number" provides a readily understandable way to express limited quantities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimal number

Emphasizes the insignificance of the quantity; it's even smaller than "a very small number".

a tiny number

Highlights the extremely reduced size of the number.

a negligible number

Implies the number is so small it can be disregarded.

a handful

Suggests a small number that can be counted on one hand.

a scattering

Implies a sparse and limited distribution.

a select few

Indicates a restricted number of individuals chosen from a larger group.

a mere smattering

Highlights the limited and superficial nature of the amount.

a trace amount

Implies an almost undetectable quantity.

a fraction

Represents a small portion of a whole.

an isolated instance

Suggests a rare and infrequent occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "a very small number" in a sentence?

You can use "a very small number" to describe a quantity that is insignificant or minimal, such as "A very small number of students failed the exam", or "A very small number of errors were found in the report".

What can I say instead of "a very small number"?

You can use alternatives like "a minimal number", "a tiny number", or "a negligible number" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever appropriate to quantify "a very small number"?

While "a very small number" implies a low quantity, specifying that quantity (e.g., "only three") can sometimes add clarity or emphasis. However, doing so might make the "very small number" redundant.

How does the connotation of "a very small number" differ from "few"?

While both indicate a low quantity, "a very small number" tends to emphasize the minuteness of the quantity more strongly than "few". "Few" is more neutral, whereas "a very small number" is often used to downplay significance.