determining a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determining a few" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of identifying or selecting a small number of items or options from a larger set. Example: "The team is focused on determining a few key strategies to improve our marketing efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The phase noise is estimated from pilots by determining a few of these DCT coefficients.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Think of this fight as determining a few decabillion dollars of market value circa 2010.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We first determine a few configuration determination use cases to get a comprehensive picture where the pattern technique can be used and then discuss the core solutions in turn.

Journal of Cloud Computing

I start with enthusiasm, keep it up for a few days or – if I'm really determined – a few weeks, and then, some time in January or February, my resolve weakens until, in a miasma of self-loathing, I find myself reaching for the lift button rather than taking the stairs.

Independent

Apparently they've crunched their six months' worth of data and determined a few areas that could use a little boost.

TechCrunch

The reasons for this are unclear, but my polls of personnel who exit the luxury watch industry have determined a few key reasons why people leave.

Forbes

When the experimental structure was determined a few weeks later, we found that our prediction was right, the cluster really looked like our computer had predicted!

Science Magazine

Based on your company's culture and values and your employees' feedback, determine a few key tenets to support, such as flexibility, diversity, and growth, and build a plan for benefits and perks that tie directly back to these pillars.

Forbes

It is necessary to note that non-dominated sorting can still determine a few candidate solutions in the combined population unsuitable for surviving for next population in solving MaOPs, which is helpful for promoting population of KnEA to converge to the Pareto fronts.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

We have come a long way from the manner in which adult reading tastes were determined a few decades ago.

Huffington Post

Further tests by the Maricopa County Public Health Department in Phoenix determined a few days later that the passenger was not infected with TB.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "determining a few", ensure the context clearly indicates from what larger set you are selecting or identifying these few items.

Common error

Avoid using "determining a few" when the selection process or the larger set is unclear. Instead, provide specific details about the criteria or pool from which you are making the determination to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determining a few" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of identifying, selecting, or deciding upon a small number of items, options, or factors from a larger set. Ludwig examples show this phrase in scientific papers and news articles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "determining a few" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that denotes the act of identifying or selecting a small number of items or options from a larger set. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources like science and news media. While the frequency is uncommon, understanding its application is crucial. When crafting your writing, ensure clarity by specifying the selection criteria or the overall pool from which you're determining those "a few" elements. By considering alternative phrases and common pitfalls, you can use "determining a few" effectively in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identifying a handful

Replaces "determining" with "identifying" and "a few" with "a handful", emphasizing the selection of a small quantity.

ascertaining several

Substitutes "determining" with "ascertaining" and "a few" with "several", focusing on discovering or establishing something with a bit more emphasis on number.

establishing a couple

Uses "establishing" instead of "determining" and "a couple" for "a few", implying setting something as a fact or finding it out.

deciding on some

Replaces "determining" with "deciding on" and "a few" with "some", focusing on the choice made.

selecting a small number

Replaces "determining" with "selecting" and clarifies "a few" with "a small number", making it more explicit.

finding some

Uses "finding" as a simpler substitute for "determining" and "some" for "a few", indicating discovery.

picking out a few

Replaces "determining" with "picking out", focusing on the action of choosing from a group.

resolving a couple of

Substitutes "determining" with "resolving" and uses "a couple of" instead of "a few", focusing on finding a solution or making a decision.

figuring out several

Uses "figuring out" in place of "determining" and "several" instead of "a few", focusing on understanding or solving.

settling on a handful of

Replaces "determining" with "settling on" and "a few" with "a handful of", indicating a final decision on a small quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "determining a few" when you want to express the act of identifying or deciding upon a small number of items or options from a larger set. For example, "The team is focused on "determining a few" key strategies for the next quarter".

What are some alternatives to "determining a few"?

You can use alternatives like "identifying a handful", "ascertaining several", or "selecting a small number" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "determining a few" or "identifying a few"?

Both ""determining a few"" and "identifying a few" are correct, but "determining" suggests a decision-making process, while "identifying" implies recognizing or discovering something. Choose the word that best reflects the intended meaning.

In what situations is "determining a few" most appropriate?

"Determining a few" is suitable when you are selecting a limited number of options or factors after consideration or analysis. For example, "After analyzing the data, the team is "determining a few" critical success factors."