but few

USAGE SUMMARY

"but few" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to contrast one thing with another or to show an exception to a rule or statement. For example: "Many people like to sit in the sun, but few are aware of the dangers of skin cancer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But few people do.

The Economist

But few are optimistic.

The New York Times

But few believe that.

The Economist

But few expect much.

The New York Times

But few did.

The Economist

But few others do.

The Economist

But few visitors stopped.

The New York Times

But few have.

The New York Times - Sports

But few are celebrating.

The Economist

But few do.

The Economist

But few Greeks agree.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but few" to introduce a contrast or exception to a general statement. It's effective for highlighting that while something is generally true, it doesn't apply to everyone or everything.

Common error

Avoid using "but few" when referring to singular nouns. "Few" inherently implies a plural context. Instead, use alternatives like "but little" or rephrase the sentence for clarity. For instance, instead of "The project had potential, but few saw it", consider "The project had potential, but few people saw it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but few" functions as a conjunctive phrase, introducing a contrasting element to a preceding statement. It indicates that while the previous statement might be generally true, there are exceptions or a limited number of cases where it doesn't apply. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but few" is a grammatically sound and commonly used conjunction to introduce a contrast, indicating that something applies to only a small number of cases. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Its function is to express contrast and highlight scarcity, appearing neutrally across different contexts, particularly in news and media. While it doesn't denote a highly formal or scientific register, it's perfectly acceptable in those settings too. When aiming for a more formal tone, alternatives like "however, not many" or "nonetheless, some" can be considered, as suggested in related phrases. Avoiding singular nouns after "but few" is a key best practice to prevent grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, not many

Replaces "but few" with a more explicit contrast using "however" and "not many".

yet, a small number

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and clarifies "few" as "a small number".

still, only a handful

Emphasizes the limited quantity with "only a handful" and uses "still" for contrast.

though, a minority

Replaces "but" with "though" and uses "a minority" to denote the small quantity.

nonetheless, some

Offers a more formal alternative, indicating that despite a previous statement, some exceptions exist.

even so, a limited number

Combines "even so" for contrast with "a limited number" to specify quantity.

in contrast, not a lot

Uses "in contrast" to highlight the difference and replaces "few" with "not a lot".

on the other hand, scarcely any

Presents a direct opposition with "on the other hand" and emphasizes scarcity with "scarcely any".

conversely, a trickle

Highlights the opposite situation and uses "a trickle" to describe a minimal amount.

despite this, a sprinkling

Acknowledges a preceding statement but introduces a small exception using "a sprinkling".

FAQs

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

Use "but few" to introduce a contrast, showing that something does not apply to many cases, such as, "Many tried to climb the mountain, "but few" succeeded".

What's a more formal alternative to "but few"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "however, not many", "nonetheless, some", or "yet, a small number" to convey a similar meaning. These alternatives offer a more sophisticated expression while maintaining clarity.

How does "but few" differ from "but a few"?

"But few" implies a small number or quantity, suggesting scarcity or rarity. In contrast, "but a few" indicates a limited quantity that still exists or is present. The difference lies in the emphasis on scarcity versus the existence of a limited amount.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but few"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "But few" is a conjunction phrase that serves to introduce a contrasting statement, showing that something applies to only a small number of cases.