among a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among a few" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small group or subset of a larger group. For example, "I noticed this problem among a few of my coworkers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Corresponded with: Virginia Lubkin, among a few others.

Columbia University

HamamTimes is among a few of these platforms.

Harvard University

That dream still endures among a few scientists.

The New York Times - Science

The wealth will be spread among a few.

The New York Times

A protest began among a few prisoners demanding better conditions.

The Guardian

These homogeneous ruthenium-species are among a few known examples with mixed anionic ligands.

Journal of Organometallic Chemistry

LiBH4 is among a few chemicals with the highest hydrogen storage capacities.

Computational and Theoretical Chemistry

Everex is also among a few vendors that offer PCs with the option to remove bloatware.

The Washington Post

And there is Buzzfeed which is fronted by the blogger Ben Smith, among a few others.

The Guardian - Opinion

Generally, among a few close colleagues in the lab, it's fine.

Nature

Since the discovery of his body in March, barriers among a few neighbors have been lowered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "among a few" to indicate a small subset of a larger group, ensuring the context clearly defines the larger group. For example, "The idea resonated among a few members of the team, but not the majority."

Common error

Avoid using "among a few" when the group is actually a significant portion of the whole. Be precise in your language to accurately reflect proportions; consider using "among many" or "among several" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among a few" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun. It specifies that something applies to a limited subset within a larger group. Ludwig AI shows the expression frequently used across diverse textual sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "among a few" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a small subset within a larger group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse sources, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing.

To effectively employ this phrase, remember to ensure the context clearly defines the larger group and avoid overstating the minority. Consider using alternatives like "a small number of" or "just a few" for nuanced expression. By paying attention to these details, you can enhance the precision and impact of your writing when using the expression "among a few".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of

Replaces "among a few" with a direct quantifier, focusing on the quantity.

only a few

Adds emphasis to the scarcity or limitation of the group size.

just a few

Emphasizes the limited quantity more directly than "among a few".

a handful of

Uses a more figurative term to describe a small quantity.

a select few

Highlights the chosen or exclusive nature of the small group.

a limited number of

Formally specifies that the number is restricted.

some

A more general term, less specific about the quantity than "among a few".

in a minority of

Shifts the focus to the smaller proportion of the group.

a scattering of

Implies a dispersed and relatively small presence.

isolated instances of

Highlights the rarity and separation of the occurrences.

FAQs

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

Use "among a few" to indicate that something is true for a small subset of a larger group. For example, "The new policy was popular "among a few" students."

What are some alternatives to "among a few"?

You can use phrases like "a small number of", "just a few", or "a handful of" as alternatives to "among a few", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "among a few" formal or informal?

"Among a few" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding sentence structure and vocabulary than on the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "among a few" and "among many"?

"Among a few" indicates a small subset, while "among many" suggests a larger, more significant portion of the group. The choice depends on accurately representing the proportion you're describing.