few customers

USAGE SUMMARY

'few customers' is correct and usable in written English.
Generally it is used when talking about a small number of people when compared to the total number of people, as in: "The store had few customers on Saturday afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few customers quietly milled about.

The New York Times

Those programs found few customers.

The New York Times

Few customers were in sight.

The New York Times

Few customers pay extra for safety screens.

The New York Times

Yet few customers pay the full freight.

The New York Times - Travel

In every case, very few customers came.

The New York Times

So far, they've had a few customers.

The Washington Post

And there are so few customers.

The New York Times - Food

Very few customers, it seems, wanted to swivel.

The New York Times

THERE are few customers more demanding than Toyota.

The Economist

Few customers know how much they are paying for roaming.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a business downturn or challenge, use "few customers" to clearly convey a lack of sales or engagement. This phrase is direct and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "few customers" when you mean "a few customers". "Few" implies a small number that is insufficient or problematic, while "a few" suggests a small number that is present but not necessarily negative. For example, "Few customers visited the store today, resulting in low sales" versus "A few customers stopped by, but it wasn't very busy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few customers" functions as a determiner + noun construction. It indicates a quantifier, specifically conveying a small number of customers. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "few customers" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation where the number of customers is low, often implying a negative impact on business. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase functions as a simple quantifier, denoting scarcity. While alternatives like "limited clientele" or "scarce patrons" exist, it is important to differentiate it from "a few customers", where the implication of lack isn't necessarily present. When writing, be mindful of this distinction to accurately convey the intended meaning when using the phrase "few customers".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small number of clients

States explicitly that the quantity of clients is low, keeping a formal tone.

limited number of consumers

Similar to "small number of clients" but focuses on consumers rather than clients.

limited clientele

Emphasizes the restricted size of the customer base, focusing on exclusivity or scarcity.

scarce patrons

Highlights the rarity of customers, suggesting a difficult business environment.

restricted customer base

Highlights the constraints on the number of customers, useful for discussing market limitations.

minimal consumers

Focuses on the lack of consumer activity, sounding slightly more technical.

insufficient patrons

Focuses on the inadequacy of the number of customers, indicating a problem for the business.

rare buyers

Emphasizes the infrequency of purchases or transactions, more specific than just "customers".

a handful of shoppers

Implies a very small, easily countable number of customers, often in a retail setting.

a trickle of clients

Suggests a slow and inconsistent flow of customers, emphasizing the lack of a steady stream.

FAQs

What does "few customers" mean?

The phrase "few customers" indicates a small number of customers, often implying that the number is insufficient or less than expected. It suggests a lack of business or engagement.

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

You can use "few customers" to describe a business situation, such as: "The new store had "few customers" during its opening week", or "Due to the economic downturn, there were "few customers" at the restaurant".

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

"Few customers" implies a small number that is insufficient or disappointing, while "a few customers" suggests a small number that is simply present without necessarily negative connotations. It is a subtle difference, but it's important in order to convey the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to saying "few customers"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "limited clientele", "scarce patrons", or "small number of clients" to convey a similar meaning to "few customers".