few different

USAGE SUMMARY

"few different" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to express a contrast between two or more items. For example: "I have tried a few different recipes for this dish, but none of them turned out quite right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just under a few different circumstances.

The New York Times - Sports

It does a few different things.

The Guardian

"It's a few different things," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

They just have a few different people.

The New York Times - Sports

"I have tried a few different things.

The Guardian - Sport

There are a few different ways.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are a few different factors.

The Washington Post

Plank: I considered a few different concepts.

The Washington Post

There are a few different problems.

The Washington Post

There's a few different lenses to this.

The New York Times

My own project took a few different turns this year.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific and provide context around the "few different" elements.

Common error

Avoid using "few different" without providing clear distinctions or examples. For instance, instead of saying "the project had a few different issues", specify the issues to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few different" functions as a quantifier and qualifier. It modifies a noun by specifying a small quantity ("few") and indicating variety or distinction ("different"). As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

20%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few different" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a small number of distinct items or options. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. This phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Academic contexts. The phrase functions as a quantifier and qualifier, indicating variety within a limited quantity. When using "few different", ensure clarity by specifying the items being differentiated. Alternatives like "several distinct" or "a variety of" can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several distinct

Replaces "few" with "several" and "different" with "distinct", suggesting a slightly larger number and clearer distinction.

a variety of distinct

Emphasizes diversity and clarity using "variety" and "distinct", respectively.

a few alternative

Emphasizes the option of another with the word "alternative".

a couple of various

Uses "couple" instead of "few", implying a smaller number, and "various" instead of "different", adding a sense of diversity.

a handful of diverse

Employs "handful" for a small quantity and "diverse" to emphasize variety and dissimilarity.

some alternate

Replaces "few" with "some", indicating an unspecified quantity, and "different" with "alternate", implying a choice between options.

a number of varying

Substitutes "few" with "number", suggesting a more significant quantity and "different" with "varying", pointing to changes or fluctuations.

a scattering of unique

Suggests a smaller amount than "few" and highlights individuality using "unique" instead of "different".

a selection of disparate

"Selection" implies choosing among options while "disparate" emphasizes the distinctness of each element.

a range of unlike

Uses "range" to suggest a spectrum and "unlike" to focus on the dissimilar nature of the items.

FAQs

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

You can use "few different" to describe a small number of varied items or options. For example, "I tried a "few different restaurants" before finding my favorite".

What are some alternatives to "few different"?

Some alternatives include "several distinct", "a variety of", or "a number of varying", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "few different" or "several different"?

The choice between "few different" and "several different" depends on the quantity you want to express. "Few" implies a smaller number than "several". Use "few different" when referring to a small number of distinct items, and "several different" when the number is larger.

How does "few different" compare to "many different"?

"Few different" suggests a small selection of diverse items, while "many different" implies a large and diverse collection. Choose "few different" when you want to emphasize the limited nature of the selection.