even a few

USAGE SUMMARY

"even a few" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize the smallness or insignificance of something. Example: "I couldn't believe it when even a few drops of rain caused the outdoor concert to be canceled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Maybe even a few thousand.

The New York Times - Arts

And perhaps even a few movies.

The New York Times - Sports

bed even a few extra hours.

The New York Times

Or even a few hours.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even a few golds would be monumental.

The New York Times - Sports

There are even a few live blogs.

The New York Times - Arts

Even a few Tory frontbenchers laughed wildly.

The Guardian

There are even a few places hotter.

The New York Times

Or even a few of them.

The New York Times

There are even a few tourists there.

The New York Times

There are even a few shortcuts.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even a few" to underscore a surprising or unexpected occurrence of something in a context where it's scarce. For instance, "Even a few days of sunshine made a difference to the crops."

Common error

Avoid using "even a few" when simply stating a small quantity. The phrase is most effective when highlighting surprise or unexpectedness, not merely describing a limited number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even a few" functions as a quantifier, emphasizing a surprisingly small number or amount. As Ludwig AI underlines, it suggests that the presence of something, even in minimal quantity, is notable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even a few" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the unexpected or surprising nature of a small quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. When using "even a few", remember to highlight the surprise or significance of the small amount rather than simply describing a limited number. Alternatives such as "a handful" or "just a small number" can be used depending on the specific emphasis required. This phrase provides a subtle yet effective way to underscore minimal but meaningful occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a handful

Implies a very small quantity, fitting in one's hand.

just a small number

Emphasizes the limited quantity.

only a couple

Refers specifically to two items or individuals.

a sparse few

Highlights the scattered or infrequent nature.

a trifling number

Implies the quantity is insignificant.

merely some

Underlines the minimal amount.

a small minority

Highlights that the quantity is lesser than the majority.

not many at all

Emphasizes the scarcity.

hardly any

Suggests the quantity is barely existent.

a smattering of

Indicates a small, scattered amount.

FAQs

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

"Even a few" emphasizes a small quantity, often surprisingly so. For example: "Even a few compliments can boost someone's confidence."

What are some alternatives to "even a few"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a handful", "just a small number", or "only a couple".

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

Use "even a few" when you want to highlight that something occurs despite being unexpected or scarce. It adds emphasis to the presence of something minimal.

Is there a difference between "even a few" and "a few"?

"Even a few" stresses the unexpected or surprising nature of the small quantity. "A few" simply indicates a small number without any added emphasis.