all too few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all too few" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that there are not enough of something, often in a somewhat lamenting or regretful tone. Example: "In our community, there are all too few resources available for mental health support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

It was one of the all too few opportunities that Tomlin had to showcase, on national television, the kind of performance she and Pryor pioneered.

The New Yorker

Reyna and Klinsmann will certainly find common ground, for Reyna was one of the all too few players of Hispanic origin to have enhanced the United States' hitherto rigid, largely white, middle-class team selections.

The New York Times - Sports

It isn't much more than Upstairs, Downstairs redux with a little pinch of homo and Shirley MacLaine and she is ghastly in her all too few episodes, gratifyingly trumped on every hand by Maggie Smith, who trumps the entire show with no effort whatsoever thrown into it.

Vice

For those with mild (GCS score 14 15) and moderate (GCS score 9 13) TBI, with no indication for immediate surgery, it may well be preferable that they stay in the admitting non-neurosurgical centre, given the demand on the all too few neurosurgical intensive care beds in the UK.

Critical Care

All too few books fit that description.

The Economist

And there were all too few profiles in courage.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

for the all-too-few cars.

The Guardian - Books

Mr Rokita is seen as one of parliament's all-too-few honest men.His shine has rubbed off on Civic Platform.

The Economist

The highlight is one of Evelyn Nesbit's all-too-few triumphs: her eagerly anticipated testimony on the stand.

The New York Times - Books

In her White Paper, Ms Short does what all-too-few governments have bothered to do before or since the anti-globalisation movement took wing at the World Trade Organisation's meeting in Seattle at the end of last year.

The Economist

As Romney now seeks support from the Latino community in his campaign for president, his knowledge of Bain's all-too-few degrees of separation from Salvadoran death squads may become a topic of interest.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all too few" to express disappointment or concern about a limited quantity, especially when something more is desired or needed.

Common error

While "all too few" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "insufficient" or "scarce" for a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all too few" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quantity that is insufficient or inadequate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a sense of disappointment about the limited number.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all too few" is a commonly used phrase that effectively conveys a sense of scarcity or insufficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and scientific writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of the subtle tone of disappointment or concern it conveys, and consider whether a more neutral alternative like "not enough" might be more appropriate in certain formal settings. The phrase is widely understood and accepted, making it a versatile choice for expressing a lack of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not enough

A simpler, more direct way of expressing insufficiency.

in short supply

A more common and direct way of saying that something is scarce.

regrettably scarce

Replaces "all too few" with a more formal and explicitly regretful tone emphasizing scarcity.

sadly lacking

Focuses on the absence of something important, with a tone of sadness.

few and far between

Indicates rarity and infrequency.

lamentably insufficient

Emphasizes the inadequacy with a strong sense of disappointment.

woefully inadequate

Highlights the severe lack of something needed or desired.

noticeably absent

Emphasizes the obvious lack or shortage of something.

thin on the ground

Suggests that something is sparsely distributed or available.

painfully limited

Highlights the restrictive nature of the small quantity.

FAQs

How to use "all too few" in a sentence?

Use "all too few" to express that there is an insufficient amount of something. For example, "There are "all too few" opportunities for young people in this town."

What can I say instead of "all too few"?

You can use alternatives like "not enough", "scarce", or "insufficient" depending on the context.

Is it more correct to say "all too few" or "very few"?

Both "all too few" and "very few" are grammatically correct, but "all too few" carries a stronger sense of disappointment or regret about the limited quantity, while "very few" is more neutral.

What's the difference between "all too few" and "far too few"?

"All too few" and "far too few" are largely interchangeable and have very similar meanings. Both emphasize that the quantity is significantly less than desired or needed.