are few

USAGE SUMMARY

"are few" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a context where you are talking about a small number of things. For example, "There are few people in this town who have lived here their entire lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they are few.

The New York Times

There are few jobs.

The New York Times

There are few ambulances.

The Economist

There are few clues.

The New York Times

But crowds are few.

The New York Times - Travel

Positions are few.

The New York Times - Sports

"My vices are few.

The New Yorker

They are few.

The New York Times

Perennial rivers are few.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Credible successors are few.

The Economist

There are few precedents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are few" when you want to emphasize a limited quantity or number of something, often implying a sense of scarcity or deficiency. For instance, "Opportunities like this are few, so don't miss it."

Common error

Avoid using "are few" with uncountable nouns. "Few" is designed for countable items. Instead of "are few water", say "is little water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are few" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a limited quantity or number. It serves to describe nouns in plural form, suggesting that the number of those nouns is small or insufficient. Ludwig confirms its correct grammatical use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are few" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a limited quantity or scarcity. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it follows standard grammatical conventions and appears across diverse authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist. While its register is generally neutral, its impact is to underline a deficit or limitation. To provide a more nuanced approach you can also consider alternatives such as "are scarce" or "are limited" to better fit the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are scarce

Emphasizes the limited availability, making it a direct synonym.

are limited

Highlights the restriction in number or extent.

are uncommon

Indicates that the occurrence is not frequent.

are rare

Stresses the infrequency and preciousness.

are minimal

Suggests the quantity is at its lowest possible level.

are in short supply

Focuses on the lack of adequate provision.

are a handful

Denotes a very small number.

are negligible

Underlines that the quantity is so small it's not worth considering.

are thin on the ground

An idiomatic way of saying something is sparsely distributed or rare.

are few and far between

Emphasizes the infrequency and wide separation of occurrences.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are few" indicates a small number of something. For example, "There "are few options" available" or "Opportunities "are few and far between"".

What's the difference between "are few" and "are a few"?

"Are few" implies a small number that is insufficient or almost none, carrying a negative connotation. "Are a few" suggests a small number that is adequate or at least present, with a more neutral or positive connotation.

What can I say instead of "are few"?

You can use alternatives like "are scarce", "are limited", or "are uncommon" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "are few"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "are few" is used to describe a small quantity of countable items, as in "There "are few exceptions" to this rule."