few

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'few' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an amount that is not large, but cannot be counted. For example: "I have few friends left from my childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He died a few months later.

The Guardian

Being able to live in a stable home is a basic human need, tied up with important feelings of choice and certainty, and we are living in a world now where only a few can hope for that, which cannot be right".

The Guardian - Business

Properly implemented strong crypto systems are one of the few things that you can rely on.

The Guardian

Here are a few examples.

The New York Times

Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back".

The Economist

But he added: "Sometimes parts of the Conservative party move but they move more slowly, or a few paces behind the centre of gravity of social attitudes which have changed and will probably continue to change in ways that it is hard to predict.

The Guardian

The unanswered questions, and of course there are a few, we will continue to discuss".

The Guardian

Nobel, a wealthy Swedish industrialist who invented dynamite, provided few directions for how to select winners, except that the prize committees should reward those who "have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind".

The Guardian

Security alerts involving improvised explosive devices have become almost a weekly occurence in Derry during the past few months as dissident republicans step up their armed actions in the city.

The Guardian

Anderson delivered his report to Downing Street on 6 May, the day before the general election, and it is expected to be published in the next few days.

The Guardian

"It is in our vital national interest that we avoid the fatal mistake that would be a no vote if a referendum is held in the next few years".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few", ensure you're referring to countable items. For uncountable nouns, use "little" instead. For example, "few problems" vs. "little time".

Common error

Be mindful of the difference between "few" and "a few". "Few" implies a scarcity or near absence, often with a negative connotation, while "a few" indicates a small but present quantity. Using "few" when you mean "a few" can unintentionally express negativity.

Linguistic Context

The word "few" primarily functions as a determiner and pronoun. As a determiner, it modifies nouns to indicate a small quantity. As a pronoun, it stands in for a small number of people or things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

10%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "few" is a versatile word used to indicate a small number of countable items, often with a subtle negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical accuracy and prevalent use across various domains, especially in News & Media. When writing, it's crucial to distinguish between "few" and "a few" to accurately convey your intended meaning. Remember to use "few" with countable nouns and consider alternatives like "a small number of" or "not many" for varied expression. With a strong source quality score and expert rating, using "few" correctly will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of

Emphasizes the limited quantity more directly.

not many

A more straightforward and commonly used alternative.

only a handful

Highlights the select and limited nature of the quantity.

a limited number

Focuses on the restricted availability or count.

precious little

Indicates a very small or insignificant amount, often with a negative connotation.

hardly any

Similar to "not many", but perhaps even less in quantity.

scarcely any

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency.

a sprinkling of

Suggests a sparse distribution or presence.

a minority of

Highlights that the quantity is smaller than half of the group.

a trickle of

Implies a slow or minimal flow or occurrence.

FAQs

How do you use "few" in a sentence?

"Few" is used to indicate a small quantity of countable nouns. For example, "Few people understand quantum physics" or "I have few close friends".

What is the difference between "few" and "little"?

"Few" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "few books"), while "little" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "little time").

What can I say instead of "few"?

You can use alternatives like "a small number of", "not many", or "only a handful" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "few of the"?

Yes, it is correct to use "few of the" when referring to a specific group. For example, "Few of the students passed the exam".