few individuals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few individuals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about a small number of people within a larger group. For example, "Although there were hundreds of applicants, only a few individuals were chosen for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I met a few last week.

The New York Times

Few today would accept this literally.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"But we saw a few today".

The New Yorker

There've been quite a few this year.

Princeton University

The Ge incorporation level inside the 4H-SiC matrix, ranging from a few 1017 to a few 1018 at.

Acta Materialia

Few yesterday thought that system had changed.

The Guardian

She should enjoy these few summer days.

The Guardian

Even Wayne Chrebet tried a few last week.

The New York Times - Sports

I've made a few this year.

The New York Times - Sports

Few today can say as much.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Boal has allowed a few post-1903 featoremain remain.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few individuals", ensure the context clearly establishes the larger group from which these individuals are being singled out. This provides necessary context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "few individuals" when referring to a group without first establishing a broader context. For example, instead of saying "Few individuals attend the meeting", specify "Few individuals from the marketing team attend the meeting" to narrow the scope.

Linguistic Context

"Few individuals" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, specifying a small quantity of people. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness for use in written English, and it's used to denote a limited subset within a larger group.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "few individuals" is grammatically sound and acceptable according to Ludwig AI, it currently lacks real-world examples to showcase its usage across diverse sources. This analysis highlights that "few individuals" functions to denote a small quantity of people, is best suited for neutral-to-formal contexts, and can be effectively replaced by alternatives like ""small number of people"" or ""handful of people"" depending on the desired nuance and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small number of people

Replaces "few individuals" with a more descriptive and straightforward expression.

handful of people

Implies a very small and easily countable group of people.

limited number of persons

More formal and emphasizes the restricted quantity of individuals.

select group of people

Suggests the individuals are chosen or distinct in some way.

small segment of people

Highlights that the individuals represent a smaller part of a larger population.

minority of individuals

Indicates that the group is significantly smaller than the majority.

sparse gathering of people

Emphasizes the lack of people and the spread-out nature of their presence.

scattered individuals

Highlights the separation and limited number of people.

negligible number of people

Implies the number of people is so small as to be almost insignificant.

isolated cases of people

Focuses on the idea that there are very few occurrences of this type of person.

FAQs

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

You can use "few individuals" to refer to a small number of people within a larger group. For example, "Although many applied, "small number of people" were selected".

What are some alternatives to "few individuals"?

Alternatives include "small number of people", "handful of people", or "limited number of persons", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "few individuals" or "a few individuals"?

"Few individuals" implies a smaller number and often carries a slightly negative connotation, whereas "a few individuals" suggests a small but sufficient number.

How does "few individuals" compare to "several individuals"?

"Few individuals" indicates a notably smaller quantity than "several individuals". "Several" implies more than two or three, while "few" suggests a minimal number.