are very few

USAGE SUMMARY

'are very few' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can typically use this phrase to express that a limited number of things exist. For example: "There are very few books in the library that are about this topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There are very few layers.

The New York Times

There are very few internal controls".

The New Yorker

There are very few black conductors, period.

The New York Times

There are very few take-backs".

The New Yorker

There are very few digital effects".

The New York Times

"There are very few options available".

The New York Times

There are very few of these women".

The New York Times - Sports

"There are very few facts," Lebel said.

The New York Times - Magazine

There are very few motels in Siberia.

The New Yorker

There are very few such examples".

The New York Times

There are very few native trees.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are very few", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is limited in quantity to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "There are very few", specify "There are very few options available".

Common error

Avoid using "are very few" when "are few" would suffice. Overusing "very" can weaken the impact of your statement. In many cases, "There are few resources" is more concise and effective than "There are very few resources".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are very few" primarily functions as a quantifier, indicating a limited number or scarcity of something. Ludwig examples show it is used before a noun to modify it. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it expresses that only a limited number of things exist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are very few" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a limited quantity or scarcity. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for stating that only a limited number of items exist. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse communication needs. When aiming for variation, options like "are not many" or "are scarce" offer similar meanings. Remember to consider the degree of emphasis needed and to ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is limited in number. Avoid overusing "very" for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not many

Emphasizes the lack of quantity more directly.

are scarce

Highlights the limited availability or rarity of something.

are in short supply

Focuses on the insufficiency of the quantity to meet demand.

are a handful

Implies a very small, easily countable number.

are thin on the ground

Suggests that something is sparsely distributed or difficult to find.

are dotted around

Indicates something is sparsely distributed in space.

are few and far between

Emphasizes both the limited number and wide spacing of occurrences.

are like gold dust

Expresses something is really precious and rare.

are seldom found

Highlights the infrequency of encountering something.

are negligible

Highlights that the quantity is not worth taking into consideration.

FAQs

How do I use "are very few" in a sentence?

The phrase "are very few" indicates a limited quantity of something. For example, "There "are very few tickets" left for the concert", or "There "are very few options" that meet our requirements".

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

While both phrases indicate a small quantity, "are very few" emphasizes the scarcity more strongly than "are few". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey in your writing. If it's really scarce, then "are very few" is suitable.

Which is correct, "there are very few" or "there is very few"?

"There are very few" is correct when referring to plural nouns. "There is very little" should be used with uncountable nouns. For example, "There "are very few cars" on the road" (plural) versus "There "is very little traffic"" (uncountable).

What can I say instead of "are very few"?

You can use alternatives like "are not many", "are scarce", or "are in short supply" depending on the context.