even few

USAGE SUMMARY

"even few" is correct and usable in written English.
It generally means "even a small amount or number of something". For example: "The new regulations allow for even few modifications to be made to the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

There were even few fistfights.

The New York Times

The outside diameter of tubes and pipes could be several meters to even few nanometers.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Differences of even few nanometers in primary particle size lead to significant changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress responses.

Toxicology

There is even few public infrared datasets available for supporting the fundamental evaluation requirements of this research.

Neurocomputing

There were even few warmish words for the vanquished Le Clos.

The Guardian - Sport

Few artists, even few great artists, bear the scrutiny of a very big retrospective.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Even fewer watched it.

The New York Times

Even fewer played competitively.

The New York Times

Even fewer would recognise him.

The Guardian

Few made money, even fewer were published.

The Economist

Liberia had even fewer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even few" to emphasize the surprising or unexpected smallness of a quantity, especially when contrasting it with a larger expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "even few" when a neutral statement about quantity is sufficient. Overusing it can dilute its impact; use simpler phrases like "a few" or "only a small number" when emphasis isn't needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even few" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a surprisingly or unexpectedly small quantity. As Ludwig indicates, it emphasizes the limited amount.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

48%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even few" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize the smallness of a quantity, often in a surprising or unexpected context. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to highlight scarcity, predominantly in scientific and news-related domains. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously to maintain its emphatic impact, opting for simpler alternatives when mere quantification suffices. Common alternatives include "a small number of" and "just a few".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a few

A simple and direct alternative to indicate a small quantity.

a small number of

Replaces "even few" with a more common and straightforward expression indicating a limited quantity.

only a handful of

Emphasizes the limited quantity of something, similar to "even few".

hardly any

Implies that there is very little or almost none of something.

a limited number of

Highlights the restricted quantity or amount of something.

a minimal amount of

Highlights the very small quantity or degree of something.

a scarce amount of

Focuses on the rarity or scarcity of something.

a tiny fraction of

Indicates that only a very small part of the whole is being considered.

a negligible quantity of

Emphasizes that the amount is so small it's almost insignificant.

a paltry sum of

Suggests the amount is not only small but also inadequate or worthless.

FAQs

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

"Even few" is used to emphasize the small quantity of something, often when it's surprising or less than expected. For instance, "Even few experts predicted such a dramatic outcome".

What are some alternatives to "even few"?

You can use alternatives like "a small number of", "only a handful of", or "just a few" to express a similar meaning.

Is "even few" grammatically correct?

Yes, "even few" is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's used to emphasize the limited quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

What's the difference between "even few" and "even fewer"?

"Even fewer" is typically used when comparing two quantities, indicating that the second quantity is smaller than the first. "Even few" simply emphasizes the small quantity without a direct comparison.