far too few

USAGE SUMMARY

"far too few" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a number that is much lower than what would be desired. For example: "Despite attempts to increase the number of qualified paramedics, there are still far too few available to meet the needs of the town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Far too few get them.

The New York Times - Health

"There are far too few happy faces".

The New York Times

Far too few start businesses.

The Guardian - Business

Latrines are far too few.

The New York Times

Alas, these paragraphs are far too few.

The Guardian - Books

Far too few are in school.

The Guardian

Sadly, there were far too few.

The New York Times

And there are far too few of them.

The New York Times

The Hall has far too few third basemen.

The New York Times

This was far too few to run a big company.

The Economist

Palestinian officials called it far too few too late.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far too few", ensure the context clearly indicates what the desired or expected quantity should be to highlight the deficiency effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "far too few" without establishing a clear baseline or expectation for the quantity needed, as this can leave the reader unsure of the scale of the deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too few" functions as a determiner modifying a noun to express a quantity that is significantly less than what is desired or required. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far too few" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express that a quantity is significantly less than desired or needed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from reliable sources. It functions as a determiner, primarily used in neutral registers to highlight deficiencies in various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the expected quantity to effectively convey the sense of inadequacy. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to emphasize the shortage and prompt attention to the need for more.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient number

Replaces "far too few" with a more formal and direct expression of inadequacy.

not nearly enough

Emphasizes the deficiency with an added sense of inadequacy, suggesting a significant shortfall.

a woefully inadequate amount

Highlights the severity of the insufficiency, indicating a regrettable lack.

lacking a sufficient quantity

A formal restatement emphasizing the absence of the required amount.

a paltry sum

Highlights that the amount is not just insufficient, but also insignificant and trivial.

markedly scarce

Replaces "far too few" with an emphasis on scarcity, indicating a noticeable shortage.

severely limited

Focuses on the restriction in availability, indicating a strong limitation.

noticeably deficient

Emphasizes that the quantity is clearly lacking and doesn't meet requirements.

thin on the ground

An idiom indicating scarcity or rarity in a given area or situation.

few and far between

Suggests that the items or instances are not only few but also widely separated, making them hard to find.

FAQs

How can I use "far too few" in a sentence?

Use "far too few" to express that the quantity of something is significantly less than what is needed or desired. For example, "There are "far too few resources" available to address the problem effectively".

What are some alternatives to "far too few"?

Alternatives include "insufficient number", "not nearly enough", or "a woefully inadequate amount", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it more appropriate to use "far too few" or "very few"?

"Far too few" implies a stronger sense of inadequacy than "very few". Use "far too few" when you want to emphasize that the shortage is a significant problem or concern. "Very few" is a more neutral statement of quantity.

What is the difference between "too few" and "far too few"?

Adding "far" before "too few" intensifies the meaning, indicating a much greater degree of insufficiency. "Too few" simply states that there are not enough, while "far too few" emphasizes that the shortage is substantial and problematic.