few apples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few apples" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of apples, often in a context where the exact quantity is not specified but is understood to be limited. Example: "I bought a few apples from the market to make a pie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Maybe we bobbed for a few apples.

The New York Times

By happenstance, she had dropped by with her new husband to pick a few apples, and she stopped to chat.

The New York Times

Cézanne, for example, needed only a few apples and some old pots and jugs to prove his artistry.

The New Yorker

It can mean "bizarre," with a second sense of "being a few apples short of a picnic".

The New York Times - Magazine

Also true: going to the swamp to pick a few apples is not a job for a man cuz men are never allowed to be so idle.

The Guardian - Books

Unroll a sheet of store-bought puff pastry, slice a few apples and arrange them on top, stick it in the oven and see why French cooking was for so long held to be the greatest on earth.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But factoring in a few apples-and-oranges variables does raise an intriguing question: How can A-Rod's deal be the absolute worst when, within the same city, Stoudemire appears to be having a more deleterious effect on the Knicks' ability to so much as sniff championship contention.

The New York Times - Sports

Few apple cultivars are widespread in the markets worldwide.

Food Chemistry

The site is essentially like any dating site, except with a few Apple-flavored features.

TechCrunch

First, the launch was delayed by ten months, which peeved quite a few Apple fans, to say the least.

TechCrunch

And so Jobs set the culture and future reputation for Apple that so few Apple-bots understand.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing recipes or food preparation, use "few apples" to indicate a small amount is needed without being overly precise.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing "few apples" if a more precise quantity can be provided. Instead of saying "a few apples were used in the experiment", specify the exact number (e.g., "three apples were used in the experiment") for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few apples" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a small, indefinite quantity of apples. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few apples" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase to describe a small quantity of apples. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various sources. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for general audiences. While “few apples” is suitable for most contexts, in formal writing, specify the exact number of apples, when possible. Alternatives include "a couple of apples" or "some apples". When emphasis is needed on the scarcity of the fruit, an expression like “only a few apples” may be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of apples

Emphasizes a slightly more precise but still small quantity, implying approximately two.

some apples

Indicates an indefinite, small quantity of apples without specifying the exact number.

a handful of apples

Refers to the quantity of apples that can be held in one hand, implying a limited number.

a small number of apples

More formal and explicitly states that the quantity is not large.

several apples

Suggests more than two but still a relatively small and unspecified quantity.

a limited amount of apples

Focuses on the restricted quantity of apples, emphasizing scarcity.

not many apples

Highlights the lack of a significant quantity of apples.

a scant quantity of apples

Emphasizes that the amount of apples is barely sufficient or adequate.

a trifling number of apples

Indicates that the quantity of apples is insignificant or negligible.

minimal apples

Emphasizes that there is only a bare minimum number of apples.

FAQs

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

You can use "few apples" to indicate a small quantity, such as, "I only need a few apples for this recipe."

What can I say instead of "few apples"?

You can use alternatives like "a couple of apples", "some apples", or "a handful of apples" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a few apples" or "few apple"?

"Few apples" is correct because "few" implies a plural noun. The singular form would be "a single apple".

What's the difference between "few apples" and "a few apples"?

"Few apples", without the article 'a', suggests a scarcity or near absence of apples. "A few apples" indicates a small but positive quantity.