defined a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defined a few" is not correct in standard written English as it lacks clarity and context.
It could be used in a context where you are referring to a specific number of items or concepts that have been clearly outlined or specified. Example: "In the report, we defined a few key terms to ensure everyone understands the concepts discussed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Hennig defined a few terms to describe the distinction between his approach and others.

University of California, Berkeley

The dominant approach was beautifully defined a few years later by the Dutch art director Rudi Fuchs in David Winner's Brilliant Orange.

The Guardian - Sport

However, scientists who study cognition have defined a few measures of intelligence: recognizing oneself in a mirror, solving complex problems, making tools, using analogies and symbols, and reasoning about what others are thinking.

The Washington Post

Therefore, we defined a few rules as follows.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

First, they can endorse paraphrase nominalism (defined a few paragraphs back) with respect to (R).

SEP

They shared their aspirations, defined a few pain points along their journey and described the ongoing challenge of managing the cultural change at their organizations.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Macros that define a few bits in the 80x86 "flags" register.

Stanford University

This is high-tech stuff, so let me define a few technical terms.

The New York Times

The sequence information can be somewhat condensed by defining a few key features.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

This command defines or augments some environment variables which the SoftImage package uses; it also defines a few convenient aliases.

Stanford University

First, define a few relatively simple analytics that won't take much time or data to run.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "defined a few" with more precise alternatives like "specified several" or "outlined some" to enhance the reader's understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "defined a few" in formal writing. Opt for a more structured phrasing such as "provided definitions for several key terms" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defined a few" functions as a verb phrase with a determiner, indicating the action of providing definitions for a limited number of items or concepts. Ludwig suggests this is not correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defined a few" is used to express the action of providing definitions for a limited number of items or concepts. While it appears in various contexts, including science, news, and academia, Ludwig AI deems it not correct in standard written English. To enhance clarity and formality, consider using alternatives like "specified several" or "outlined some". When aiming for professional tone, avoid this expression and choose more structured phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specified several

Replaces "few" with "several", indicating a slightly larger quantity but maintaining the act of specifying.

outlined some

Focuses on providing a general overview rather than a detailed definition, using "outlined" instead of "defined".

identified a number of

Emphasizes the recognition and naming of multiple items, shifting from definition to identification.

stipulated a couple of

Indicates a formal or legal specification of a small number of items, replacing "defined" with "stipulated" and "few" with "couple".

designated a handful of

Highlights the act of assigning a specific role or purpose to a small group of items, changing the focus from definition to designation.

delineated a few

Focuses on marking the boundaries or limits of a small number of items, using "delineated" in place of "defined".

set out a few

Emphasizes the act of presenting or explaining a limited number of items, differing in the manner of presentation.

laid down a few

Suggests a more formal or authoritative setting of a limited number of rules or principles, adding a layer of formality.

characterized a few

Highlights the description of the distinctive nature or features of a small set of items, differing in the method of description.

marked out a few

Focuses on distinguishing or setting apart a limited number of items, changing the emphasis to differentiation.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "defined a few"?

You can use alternatives like "specified several", "outlined some", or "identified a number of" depending on the context.

Is "defined a few" grammatically correct?

While used in some contexts, "defined a few" might sound less formal. Consider using alternatives for clarity and precision, especially in academic or professional writing.

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

You can use it to indicate that you have provided definitions for a limited number of items, but ensure the context is appropriate. For instance, "In this report, we defined a few key terms." However, consider more precise alternatives for enhanced clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "defined a few"?

It's suitable for informal contexts. However, in formal writing, using phrases like "specified several" or "outlined some" can improve clarity and maintain a professional tone.