few few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few few" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a repetition that does not convey a clear meaning or context. Example: "There are few few options available for this project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

If we remove the first few few letters from the first word we get "D-Man".

The New Yorker

For the next few few weeks, he called the broker continually.

The New York Times

"How wordy you are … use few words … few, few but significant," Giuseppe Verdi wrote to his librettist Francesco Maria Piave.

The Guardian

Donatella, with time, is going to be one of the few — few! — talents in fashion, I promise you.

The New Yorker

"Few, few outside of New York and San Francisco believe that Ruth Bader Ginsburg is in the mainstream and Neil Gorsuch is not".

The New Yorker

A few few months later I finally gathered the courage and conviction (with the help of a little gin) to get in touch and asked if we'd ever return books to their rightful owners.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

And a few – fewer and fewer – Petunias.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Perhaps if he went to a few fewer fund-raisers and a few more funerals..

The New York Times

The subject of this one will sign soon for a few fewer digits.

The New York Times - Sports

They shouted "fewer, fewer, fewer".

Vice

A few scares, a few bad words.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you find yourself using "few few", consider whether "a few" or simply "few" would be more appropriate and clearer.

Common error

Don't repeat adjectives or quantifiers unnecessarily. Using "few few" is like saying "small small", which is generally incorrect and makes the writing appear unpolished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few few" primarily functions as a quantifier, attempting to specify a small quantity. However, the repetition makes it grammatically questionable. As Ludwig AI points out, it is not correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "few few" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundant nature. Although it appears in various sources, primarily within news and media, science, and wiki contexts, its use is discouraged in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms it is not correct. Alternatives such as "a few", "very few", or simply "few" provide clearer and more appropriate ways to express a small quantity. Avoiding the repetition will enhance the clarity and polish of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number

Emphasizes the limited quantity using more common wording.

a handful

Implies a quantity that can be held in one hand, suggesting a small amount.

a limited quantity

Highlights the restriction in amount or availability.

a scarce amount

Indicates that the amount is not only small but also difficult to obtain.

a sparse selection

Suggests that the available choices are limited and thinly distributed.

a trifling amount

Conveys that the quantity is so small as to be insignificant.

a negligible quantity

Highlights that the amount is too small to be of consequence.

very few

This alternative is a more emphatic version of the original, which is already redundant.

just a few

Implies that a count is slightly higher than a small number.

only a few

This shows that there are not many.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "few few" to sound more natural?

Instead of "few few", use alternatives like "a few", "very few", or simply "few" depending on the context. The repetition is generally unnecessary.

Is "few few" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "few few" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundant nature. While it may appear in some informal contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing.

When is it appropriate to use "few few"?

While not generally recommended, "few few" might be used for emphasis in very informal speech. However, in most writing situations, it's better to opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives.

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

"Few" implies a small number and often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack. "A few" also indicates a small number, but it's generally more neutral and doesn't necessarily suggest a deficiency.