extraordinarily few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extraordinarily few" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the scarcity or rarity of something in a dramatic way. Example: "In the vast expanse of the universe, there are extraordinarily few planets that can support life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He issues extraordinarily few cards.

The Guardian - Sport

A study financed by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media found that recent family films, children's shows and prime-time programs featured extraordinarily few characters with computer science or engineering occupations, and even fewer who were female.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There are extraordinarily few cases that have ever resulted in a conviction, and those are mostly from the 1950's," said Stephen M. Ryan, a lawyer with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, a former federal prosecutor and a former general counsel of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs.

The New York Times

The CBS show Survivor is completing its 22nd season a run with a business and social impact that are reserved for extraordinarily few productions in Television history.

TechCrunch

"Those instances are extraordinarily few and numbered, given the total number of police officers in the U.S". Pasco's group was consulted by the Trump administration during the writing of the memo, which in turn reflects his group's view that an increase in attention paid to civil rights violations doesn't mean there's a systemic problem in U.S. policing.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Had he not been extraordinarily rich, few would have encouraged him to start out in politics by running for governor.

Huffington Post

How are a few extraordinarily wealthy individuals from the most senior ranks of the world's most brutally repressive societies succeeding in muzzling free speech on major international issues?

The New York Times

Well over 2,000 rugby league fans descended at Bootham – or KitKat Crescent as it was extraordinarily labelled a few years ago – to see a York derby in the Challenge Cup last Sunday.

The Guardian - Sport

And that has to happen fast, because FMD is extraordinarily infectious: Inhaling fewer than 10 viral particles can infect an animal, and the wind can carry virus from one blighted farm to another, even dozens of kilometers away.

Science Magazine

"The team has ramped up extraordinarily in the last few months.

The Guardian - Tech

This is partly because Georgia's Congressional districts are extraordinarily polarized, with a few overwhelmingly liberal districts and many very conservative ones.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extraordinarily few" when you want to emphasize a surprisingly small quantity or number. It adds a level of emphasis that "very few" might lack.

Common error

Avoid using "extraordinarily few" in overly casual settings. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or affected in everyday conversation. Simpler alternatives like "very few" or "not many" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extraordinarily few" functions as an intensifier modifying a quantifier. "Extraordinarily" amplifies the adjective "few", thereby underscoring the limited quantity of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extraordinarily few" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for emphasizing a notably small quantity or number. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed across various contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing, though it's relatively rare compared to simpler alternatives. While acceptable, ensure its formality aligns with the context. Consider alternatives like "remarkably scarce" or "exceptionally limited" for similar emphasis. Bear in mind that in overly casual situations, simpler terms might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkably scarce

Emphasizes scarcity with a sense of being noteworthy.

exceptionally limited

Highlights the limited quantity in an exceptional way.

unusually sparse

Focuses on the low density or scattered presence.

surprisingly rare

Indicates rarity that is unexpected or notable.

decidedly minimal

Emphasizes the small amount with a sense of decisiveness.

noticeably absent

Highlights the lack of presence to a degree that it is evident.

strikingly deficient

Emphasizes a remarkable inadequacy or shortage.

distinctly uncommon

Indicates the departure from what is usual or common.

severely restricted

Highlights the severe limitations imposed on quantity.

uncommonly meager

Stresses the insufficiency of the amount in an unusual way.

FAQs

What does "extraordinarily few" mean?

The phrase "extraordinarily few" means remarkably or exceptionally small in number or quantity. It emphasizes that something is present in a very limited amount.

What can I say instead of "extraordinarily few"?

You can use alternatives like "remarkably scarce", "exceptionally limited", or "unusually sparse", depending on the context.

Is "extraordinarily few" formal or informal?

"Extraordinarily few" is generally considered more formal than phrases like "very few" or "not many". Choose your wording based on the context and audience.

How do I use "extraordinarily few" in a sentence?

You can use "extraordinarily few" to emphasize the scarcity of something. For example: "There are extraordinarily few opportunities for advancement in that company."