few intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few intelligence" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It may be intended to refer to a limited amount of intelligence, but the phrasing is awkward and incorrect. Example: "There seems to be few intelligence in the decision-making process."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

For one, there is a language barrier: few intelligence officers speak Arabic.

The Economist

"Few intelligence officials who understand the nuances of the global banking system" were fluent in Arabic.

The New York Times

It has no equivalent of a Central Intelligence Agency and only a few intelligence officers working abroad.

The New York Times

I always imagined him and Alastair ensconced on it to misinterpret a few intelligence briefings, before segueing into the next task with a classic GMTV link.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, few intelligence analysts doubt the reality or seriousness of the reports, nor do they dispute that Mr. bin Laden's terror network will try to launch another attack on American soil.

The New York Times

Until the 1970's, the technology and the mathematical expertise required for sophisticated encryption were held almost exclusively by a few intelligence agencies, which regarded them as military secrets.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

If the Houthis are now the real power brokers, the US will have few allies to rely on for security co-operation, fewer intelligence assets, and fierce resistance to US drone strikes on Yemeni soil.

BBC

There would have been nothing easier than sacking a few frontline intelligence people and maybe prosecuting a few line managers at Langley.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of the few senior intelligence officials who remembered seeing the memorandum before the attacks, most said they thought its message was directed at someone else.

The New York Times

He gained control of the server in about 10 days and generated 531 fake certificates, including some for well-known sites like Google, Skype and Facebook, along with a few foreign intelligence sites.

The New York Times - Tech

He told a press conference that "a few foreign intelligence agencies have cleared all the passengers"., but went on to say a few countries had yet to reply to the request for background checks.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a limited amount of intelligence, opt for more precise and grammatically sound phrases like "limited intelligence" or "scarce intelligence" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "few intelligence" as it is grammatically awkward and does not clearly convey the intended meaning. Instead, use "little intelligence" or "limited intelligence" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few intelligence" attempts to quantify intelligence, which is generally treated as an uncountable noun. Its primary grammatical function is to act as a modifier, though it is grammatically flawed. Ludwig AI notes its incorrectness, suggesting alternative phrasings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few intelligence" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms this, advising the use of alternatives such as "limited intelligence" or "scarce intelligence". While the phrase is occasionally found in news media, clarity and correctness are best served by choosing a more appropriate expression. Stick to grammatically sound alternatives to convey your meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited intelligence

Replaces "few" with "limited" to more clearly indicate a restriction in the amount of intelligence.

scarce intelligence

Substitutes "few" with "scarce" to emphasize the rarity or insufficiency of intelligence.

little intelligence

Uses "little" to denote a small amount of intelligence, suitable in many contexts.

lack of intelligence

Indicates a deficiency or absence of intelligence, shifting the focus from quantity to absence.

limited understanding

Focuses on the understanding aspect of intelligence, suggesting a restriction in comprehension.

minimal awareness

Emphasizes the level of awareness, indicating a reduced state of knowledge or perception.

rare insights

Highlights the infrequency of insightful observations, targeting a specific aspect of intelligence.

small amount of intelligence

Expands the phrase to specify a small quantity more explicitly.

inadequate intellect

Addresses the insufficiency of intellectual capacity, suitable when referring to a person's abilities.

reduced cognitive capacity

Refers to a decrease in the ability to process information and think effectively.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "few intelligence"?

More appropriate alternatives include "limited intelligence", "scarce intelligence", or "little intelligence", which are grammatically correct and clearly understood.

Is it grammatically correct to say "few intelligence"?

No, the phrase "few intelligence" is grammatically incorrect. "Few" is typically used with countable nouns, while "intelligence" is an uncountable noun. Use "little intelligence" instead.

How can I use "limited intelligence" in a sentence?

You can use "limited intelligence" in a sentence like: "The success of the operation was compromised due to the limited intelligence available at the time."

What's the difference between "few intelligence" and "little intelligence"?

The phrase "few intelligence" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "little intelligence", which means a small amount of intelligence.