around a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a few" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used informally to indicate an approximate number or quantity, but it is better to use more precise language. Example: "There were around a few people at the event, but I couldn't count them exactly."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We tossed around a few ideas then settled on "Where do you want to work today?

Forbes

I just met with Funny or Die and just threw around a few ideas.

Huffington Post

She helped me when I went to a refuge and she helped me ring around a few places….

BMC Family Practice

"We fooled around a few times.

The New Yorker

I've been calling around a few friends.

The New Yorker

Don passes around a few bottles of beer.

The New Yorker

The highly educated cluster around a few small nodes.

The New York Times

They paused and circled around a few sculptures.

The New York Times - Arts

I want to be around a few more years".

The New York Times

"You stir your soup, it goes around a few seconds".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Work-Around: A few airlines don't gouge you this badly.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around a few" in informal contexts, ensure that the lack of precision doesn't affect clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "around a few" in academic papers or professional reports where precision is expected. Opt for more specific quantifiers or numerical values to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a few" functions as a prepositional modifier, adding information about quantity. According to Ludwig, it's often used to indicate an approximate or indefinite number, but might not be suitable for formal contexts where precision is crucial.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

37%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around a few" is a prepositional phrase used to express an approximate, small quantity. Ludwig AI notes that it's non-standard and can cause confusion and advises using more precise language when possible. This expression commonly appears in news, science, and wiki sources, implying its informality. While acceptable in casual conversation, academic and formal contexts may benefit from more specific quantifiers. The phrase's function is to provide a general sense of amount, its purpose is to communicate a rough estimate rather than a precise measurement. So, keep in mind where you are using the phrase and make sure the context is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just about a few

Emphasizes the slight approximation of a limited number, similar to "around a few" in its vagueness.

roughly a small number

Provides an approximate quantity, mirroring the intent of "around a few" with slightly more emphasis on approximation.

approximately a handful

Indicates a small, indefinite quantity, similar to "around a few" but using a more descriptive term.

in the neighborhood of a couple

Similar to "around a few" but uses "a couple" to specify the small number.

nearly a handful

Indicates an approximate amount close to a handful, similar to the quantity implied by "around a few".

in proximity to some

Emphasizes nearness to a limited number, differing from "around a few" in its focus on location.

close to a small amount

Highlights the closeness to a limited quantity, varying from "around a few" in its directness.

in the vicinity of several

Indicates nearness or closeness to a small number, differing in formality and emphasis.

in the ballpark of several

Indicates an estimate that is close to a certain small number.

virtually a small collection

Emphasizes the almost complete nature of a small set, differing from "around a few" in its degree of definiteness.

FAQs

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

You can use "around a few" to indicate an approximate, small quantity, as in "There were around a few people waiting in line".

What can I say instead of "around a few"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately a few", "roughly a small number", or "just about a few" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "around a few"?

"Around a few" is acceptable in informal contexts, but more precise language is preferable in formal writing.

What's the difference between "around a few" and "several"?

"Around a few" implies a smaller quantity and a higher degree of approximation than "several". "Several" suggests more than a few but less than many.