among the few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among the few" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when referring to a small number of things or people that stand out from a larger group. For example: "He was among the few to pass the bar exam with a perfect score."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Among the few blips is Internet service.

The New York Times

Nwitizina was among the few survivors.

The Guardian

Davis Phinney was among the few.

The New York Times - Sports

Carl Herz and Walter Feit were among the few Instructors.

Cornell University

Among the few surplus products are whisky and salmon.

The Guardian

Journalists are among the few Americans permitted to travel here.

The New York Times

The 34th District was not among the few.

The New York Times

I was among the few lucky ones to escape.

The New York Times

Kenyon Martin was among the few players who spoke up.

The New York Times - Sports

But he is among the few shorts who is both.

The New York Times

Among the few who do is my partner, Beth Clayton".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "among the few", ensure the context clearly establishes the larger group from which the few are distinguished. This provides necessary context for the statement to be meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "among the few" without specifying what the larger group is. For example, instead of saying "He was among the few", specify "He was among the few students who passed the exam" to provide a clear point of reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among the few" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is part of a small subset within a larger group. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

28%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "among the few" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates membership in a small, often distinguished, subset of a larger group. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is valid and common. It is particularly prevalent in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the larger group for clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "one of the select" or "a minority of" can be used to achieve similar effects. The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal registers, making it versatile for various writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of the select

Focuses on the chosen or exclusive nature of the group.

some of the rare

Emphasizes the infrequency or scarcity of what is being discussed.

a minority of

Emphasizes the smaller quantity or proportion.

just a few

Simplifies the expression to denote a minimal quantity.

in a small number

Highlights the limited quantity of individuals or items.

only a small portion

Highlights the limited segment or share of the whole.

part of an exclusive group

Stresses exclusivity and belonging to a distinguished set.

counted among the minority

Highlights the state of being considered within the smaller portion of something.

within a limited circle

Implies a confined or restricted group of individuals.

a handful of

Uses a more informal term to indicate a small quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "among the few" to indicate that someone or something is part of a small group within a larger group. For example, "She was among the few applicants selected for the internship".

What are some alternatives to "among the few"?

You can use alternatives like "one of the select", "a minority of", or "in a small number" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "among the few" or "among the many"?

The choice between "among the few" and "among the many" depends on whether you want to emphasize a small or a large proportion of a group. "Among the few" highlights the exclusivity or rarity, while "among the many" emphasizes commonality.

What does "among the few" imply?

"Among the few" implies that the subject is part of a small, often special or distinguished, subset of a larger group. It suggests a degree of exclusivity or rarity.