excluding a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excluding a few" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that most items or people are included, but a small number are not. Example: "The event was a success, with over a hundred attendees, excluding a few who canceled at the last minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Excluding a few onetime items, Motorola lost 1 cent a share, compared with a loss of 4 cents a share predicted by analysts.

The New York Times - Tech

Certainly, to most poets (excluding a few popular songwriters and a boxer or two) any sum with eight zeros in it is otherworldly, Ozymandian.

The New Yorker

And why, after six months, did they then murder all of the first group, without a selection, on 7 March 1944 and then, in July 1944, almost all of the second group, excluding a few of those fit for labour?

The Guardian - Books

Throughout the Arctic, excluding a few maritime areas, the winter cold is so intense that the ground remains permanently frozen except for a shallow upper zone, called the active layer, which thaws during the brief summer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Excluding a few dry-outs, in hospitals and prisons, and the very occasional self-imposed prohibition, Malcolm Lowry was shitfaced for 35 years… To make a real success of being an alcoholic, to go all the way with it, you need to be other things too: shifty, unfastidious, solipsistic, insecure and indefatigable.

The New Yorker

So here, in chronological order, one per year — excluding a few years, as well as anything after 1986 (post-coma was fun for a while but doesn't hold up on tape, to my ears) — is a baker's dozen: my thirteen essential, commercially ignored — some desert-island Dead.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The requirement explicitly excludes a few very expensive procedures, like in vitro fertilization and vasectomy reversal.

The New York Times

On April Fool's Day, appropriately enough, Level 3 confirmed the best possible news: I had slipped in just below the threshold after the provider excluded a few peak hours of usage.

The New York Times - Tech

"We also had to exclude a few titles because they were published before 2008 – Monumental Beginnings: Archaeology of the N4 Sligo Inner Relief Road and one of my personal favourites, Sketches of Hull Authors.

The Guardian - Books

The results suggest that if we exclude a few outliers, AUC performance is consistently above 0.90 for each method.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Most of these were pardoned under a general amnesty that only excluded a few ringleaders.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excluding a few", ensure the context clearly defines the larger group from which the exceptions are being made. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "excluding a few" when the number of exceptions is significant. If too many items are excluded, consider rephrasing to focus on what is included, rather than what is not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excluding a few" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement by indicating that it applies to almost all members of a group, with only a small number being exceptions. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "excluding a few" is a grammatically sound and frequently used qualifier that introduces exceptions to a general statement. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, appearing across diverse sources such as news outlets, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. Its versatility allows writers to convey information with accuracy and nuance, acknowledging minor deviations from broader observations. The examples provided showcase its adaptability and relevance in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a few exceptions

Emphasizes that the statement is generally true, but there are some exceptions.

apart from a handful

Highlights that only a small number are different or not included.

save for a couple

Indicates that everything is included except for a small number.

barring a small number

States that a small number is not included; similar to "except for".

with the exception of some

Formally specifies that some items are exceptions to the rule.

omitting a few

Directly indicates that some items are left out or not considered.

not counting a small portion

Focuses on excluding a small part from the total count.

besides a minority

Emphasizes that only a small group is different or not included.

outside of some

Indicates that certain elements are not within the main group.

excepting several

A more formal way of saying "except for a few".

FAQs

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

Use "excluding a few" to indicate that almost all members of a group are included, with only a small number being exceptions. For example: "All students passed the exam, excluding a few who were absent."

What are some alternatives to "excluding a few"?

You can use alternatives like "with a few exceptions", "apart from a handful", or "save for a couple" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "including all but a few" instead of "excluding a few"?

Yes, "including all but a few" conveys a similar meaning to "excluding a few". The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the inclusion or the exclusion.

What's the difference between "excluding a few" and "excluding many"?

"Excluding a few" implies that the number of exceptions is small, whereas "excluding many" suggests a significant portion is not included. If you are "excluding many", it might be clearer to specify who or what is included instead.