as few as

USAGE SUMMARY

'as few as' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate a very small amount of something. For example, you could say "She only had as few as five cookies left in the jar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some attract as few as 11 likes.

The New York Times

As few as eighty thousand remain.

The New Yorker

As few as 200 did, too.

The New York Times - Sports

As few as that, seriously?

Yale University

Some require as few as two steps.

The New York Times - Tech

Fugues have been written for as few as two voices.

Yale University

This requires taking as few as three measurements.

Columbia University

As few as 1,074 Syrians, as of August.

The New York Times

He'd do as few as five and as many 51.

The Washington Post

As few as 10 bacteria can make someone ill.

The New York Times - Health

Some sites have as few as two workers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as few as" when referring to countable items to emphasize a surprisingly small number. This can add impact to your statement, especially when contrasting it with expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "as few as" with uncountable nouns. Instead, use "as little as" when referring to things like water, money, or time. Remember, "few" is for countable items, while "little" is for amounts or quantities that can't be counted individually.

How to use

Learn how to use "as few as" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as few as" functions as a quantifier, specifically emphasizing a surprisingly small number of countable items. It modifies a noun phrase, highlighting the minimal quantity. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in denoting a lower limit or threshold.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as few as" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize a surprisingly small number of countable items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. When using "as few as", ensure you're referring to countable nouns and aim to highlight a contrast or remarkable scarcity. Alternatives like "only a handful" or "a minimal number" can offer nuanced variations, depending on the specific context. By avoiding common errors and adhering to best practices, you can effectively leverage "as few as" to add emphasis and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as little as

Emphasizes a small amount, typically used for uncountable nouns.

as low as

Focuses on the bottom end of a range or scale.

a minimal number

Highlights the scarcity of the quantity.

scarcely any

Indicates a near absence of something.

hardly any

Similar to scarcely any, emphasizing the lack of quantity.

only a handful

Suggests a very small, easily countable number.

a small minority

Implies a small group compared to a larger population.

a paucity of

Formally indicates a deficiency or lack.

a trickle of

Suggests a very small and gradual flow or presence.

a smattering of

Indicates a sparse and scattered distribution.

FAQs

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

Use "as few as" to emphasize a surprisingly small number of countable items. For example, "As few as ten bacteria can make someone ill" shows how little it takes to cause illness.

What's the difference between "as few as" and "as little as"?

"As few as" refers to countable nouns (e.g., "as few as three measurements"), while "as little as" refers to uncountable nouns (e.g., "as little as water"). Using the correct term depends on whether you're counting individual items or measuring a quantity.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "as few as"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "only a handful", "a minimal number", or "scarcely any" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "as few as" formal or informal?

"As few as" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversation, making it a versatile phrase for expressing a small quantity.