few in quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few in quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to a small amount of something. For example: "I only have a few pieces of candy left, so there is only a small quantity available."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

First they are relatively few in quantity in comparison to other types of studies and reports posted in major, online, clinical literature databases.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The first comprehensive survey of Afghanistan's underground treasures found gold, coppper, cobalt and lithium, to name a few, in quantities which have the world's industrial powers drooling in anticipation.

Huffington Post

Only a few occur in quantities large enough for sustained exploitation, notably iron in Pennsylvania's Blue Ridge and Piedmont and the famous granites, marbles, and slates of northern New England.

Britannica

Don't offer too many brands: offer only a few, but produce in quantity to exploit economies of scale.

The Economist

These data, from regionally representative samples, indicate few gender differences in quantity or quality of social relations, but that women are more likely than men to experience widowhood, illness, and financial strain.

Duke University

fewer means smaller in number, eg fewer coins; less means smaller in quantity, eg less money Ffestiniog fiance male, fiancee female; but note divorcee is both male and female Fianna Fáil Irish political party fiasco like debacle and farce, overused in news stories: who says it's a fiasco?

The Guardian

You will have noticed that Microsoft's forays into startup investment, while existent over the past few years, have fallen away in quantity.

TechCrunch

Several studies indicated the effect of climatic or reservoir variables on the incidence of HFRS, but few studies described the effect in quantity.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Early in the century -- before the golden age of recordings, before radio, extended concert seasons, frequent tours and summer festivals, before the early-music movement -- one of the few ways Americans could hear Bach in quantity was to make a pilgrimage to this steel town, some 45 miles north of Philadelphia, to the annual spring festival of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

The New York Times - Arts

The increase in extreme weather patterns that we have seen in the last few years are projected to increase in quantity and size as climate change progresses, and in addition to causing massive amounts of human suffering they are also quite costly.

HuffPost

less means smaller in quantity, eg less money; fewer means smaller in number, eg fewer coins.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the scarcity of something, use "few in quantity" to clearly convey that there is not much of it available. It is best used in formal or descriptive contexts where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "less in quantity" when referring to countable items. "Few" is for countable items, while "less" is for uncountable amounts. It's more accurate to say "fewer coins" (countable) and "less money" (uncountable).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few in quantity" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate a small or limited amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Ludwig examples showcase its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few in quantity" is a grammatically sound and valid expression used to describe a limited amount or number of something. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its occurrence is relatively rare. Its primary function is descriptive, aiming to convey scarcity with precision, lending itself well to formal and neutral contexts. When using the phrase, remember that "few" is best used for countable items. Alternatives like "limited in amount" or "in short supply" can be suitable substitutes depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited in amount

Focuses on the restriction of the amount available.

in short supply

Highlights the condition of scarcity or deficit.

scarce in number

Emphasizes the rarity of individual items.

small in scale

Highlights the reduced size or extent.

meager in volume

Draws attention to the insufficient volume or capacity.

restricted in supply

Indicates limitations on the availability of resources.

deficient in measure

Points out the inadequacy of the measured amount.

insufficient in magnitude

Stresses the lacking degree of importance or size.

lacking in substance

Highlights the absence of essential qualities.

short in provision

Focuses on the reduced level of preparedness or furnishing.

FAQs

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

You can use "few in quantity" to describe a limited amount of something. For example, "There were "few in quantity" research studies about that specific topic".

What's a good alternative to "few in quantity"?

Alternatives to "few in quantity" include "limited in amount", "scarce in number", or "in short supply", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "few in quantity"?

Yes, "few in quantity" is grammatically correct. The phrase accurately conveys a small or limited amount of something.

What is the difference between "few in quantity" and "small in quantity"?

While similar, "few in quantity" generally refers to countable items, whereas "small in quantity" can refer to both countable and uncountable items. However, it is recommended to use "less in quantity" with uncountable nouns.