been a few cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been a few cases" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to instances or occurrences of something that has happened in the past. Example: "There have been a few cases of the flu reported in our area this season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"There have been a few cases," he says.

The Guardian - Travel

There have been a few cases when Mr X's enterprise was subject to random inspections.

The Guardian

Untreated wounds are turning septic and gangrenous, and there have been a few cases of tetanus.

The Economist

There have been a few cases in the past month of hospitals actually throwing people out onto the streets.

The Guardian

"There have been a few cases where we identified roads being built into a protected area," Mr. Steil said.

The New York Times

There have been a few cases of militants from Gaza firing old, 122-millimeter Katyushas that were probably manufactured in the Eastern bloc and smuggled into Gaza.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

There have also been a few case reports of retinal vascular occlusion in HIV/AIDS patients without CMVR [10 15].

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

There have also been a few case reports of liver problems and seizures.

Vice

In the past few years, there have also been a few case reports that have highlighted the association between proteasome inhibitors (BTZ and CFZ) with AKI [ 17– 24].

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

And there are a few cases of reuse, like parodies.

The New York Times

However, there are a few cases where there is no other solution.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been a few cases", ensure the context provides specific details or examples to support the statement and avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "been a few cases" without providing any context or supporting evidence, as it can weaken your argument and sound unconvincing. Always aim to give the reader context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been a few cases" functions as an existential quantifier, indicating that a limited number of events or instances have occurred. It's used to acknowledge the existence of something without specifying an exact number. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a usable phrase for referring to events that have happened in the past.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been a few cases" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a limited number of specific events or instances have occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly correct and usable in English. It is employed across multiple contexts, predominantly in News & Media and scientific writing, although not overly frequent, it is widely understood and accepted. To enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity, ensure that context or specific examples are provided. Alternatives like "some instances" or "several cases" can be used depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there have been some instances

Replaces "few" with "some" and "cases" with "instances", slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining the core meaning.

there have been a handful of cases

Substitutes "few" with "handful", suggesting a small but noticeable number of occurrences.

a small number of cases have occurred

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the occurrence of cases rather than their existence.

there's been a limited number of instances

Uses "limited number" instead of "few" and "instances" in place of "cases", adding a sense of restriction.

several cases have been reported

Focuses on the reporting aspect of the cases, implying they are documented or known.

a couple of instances have happened

Replaces "few" with "couple", indicating exactly two instances, and uses "happened" instead of "cases".

there have been occasional cases

Emphasizes the infrequency of the cases, suggesting they happen sporadically.

a scattering of cases have emerged

Uses "scattering" to imply the cases are dispersed and not concentrated.

isolated cases have been observed

Highlights the isolation of the cases, suggesting they are not part of a larger pattern.

sparse cases have come to light

Indicates that the cases are infrequent and have only recently become known.

FAQs

How can I use "been a few cases" in a sentence?

You can use "been a few cases" to indicate that something has happened a limited number of times. For example, "There have "been a few cases" of the flu this year".

What are some alternatives to saying "been a few cases"?

Alternatives include "some instances", "a handful of cases", or "several cases", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "there's been a few cases"?

While understandable in informal speech, it is more grammatically correct to say "there have "been a few cases"" because "cases" is plural.

What is the difference between "been a few cases" and "been several cases"?

"Been a few cases" implies a smaller number than "been several cases". The choice between the two depends on the specific quantity you are referring to.