few existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there were only a small number of something present or available in a particular context. Example: "In the early days of the internet, few existed who understood its potential."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Few existed.

The New York Times

Through its 10-year history, the program, supported largely by the New York Times Company Foundation and annual donations from readers, has kept its mission constant: to recognize New York City high school seniors who have created opportunities for themselves where few existed, and to reward them with money and other less tangible forms of aid.

The New York Times

Perhaps when these ancient snakes lived, millions of millions of years ago, either so few existed, or it was so hard to find a sexual partner, that they didn't bother, and cloned themselves instead.

BBC

In Rwanda, orphanages also have symbolic meaning as very few existed before the 1994 genocide.

Huffington Post

By attempting to offer a viable alternative to the bus and metro, Lyft and Uber are offering new options to consumers in a space where few existed before.

Huffington Post

Little consideration was given to interactivity, interaction with operating systems (few existed at that time) and functions (thought of as purely mathematical and of no use in data processing).

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Few exist in the wild.

The New York Times

A few exist only on paper.

The Guardian

But as yet, few exist here.

The New York Times

Very few exist in the region.

The New York Times

And considering how few exist, that's a lot".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few existed", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'few' refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject or category in question.

Common error

Avoid using "few existed" when a more neutral term like "some existed" is appropriate. "Few" implies a sense of scarcity or deficiency, which may not always be the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few existed" functions as a statement of past existence combined with a quantifier indicating a small quantity. As supported by Ludwig, this construction is used to express that only a limited number of something were present or available at a certain time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few existed" is a grammatically sound way to express that something was present in small numbers in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news and scientific writing, indicating a neutral level of formality. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what "few" refers to and consider whether a more neutral or formal alternative might be more appropriate. Be mindful of the connotation of scarcity that the word "few" implies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely any existed

Emphasizes the minimal quantity that existed.

hardly any existed

Highlights the rarity of existence.

very few were in existence

Rephrases using "were in existence" for a slightly more formal tone.

only a handful existed

Uses a more descriptive term for a small quantity.

not many existed

A more conversational alternative expressing a small number.

a limited number existed

Highlights that the quantity available was restricted.

a paucity existed

Replaces "few" with the more formal term "paucity".

a smattering existed

Suggests a scattered and minimal presence.

they were scarce

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct statement of scarcity.

they were thin on the ground

Uses an idiomatic expression for rarity.

FAQs

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

Use "few existed" to indicate that there was a small number of something present in the past. For instance, "Before the advent of smartphones, "few existed" who could imagine carrying a powerful computer in their pocket".

What's a more formal way to say "few existed"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a limited number existed" or "a paucity existed". These alternatives add a level of sophistication to your writing.

Is it ever wrong to use "few existed"?

While grammatically correct, "few existed" should be used when you want to emphasize the scarcity or limited nature of something. If you simply want to state that some things were present without emphasizing scarcity, "some existed" might be more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "few existed" that emphasize rarity?

To emphasize rarity, you could use phrases like "scarcely any existed", "hardly any existed", or "only a handful existed".