few issues

USAGE SUMMARY

'few issues' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this in situations when you want to express that there are only a small number of obstacles or problems standing in the way of achieving something. For example, "We still need to resolve a few issues, but we are nearly finished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are a few issues.

The New York Times

There are a few issues remaining.

The New York Times - Sports

Few issues have divided Australians more bitterly.

The Economist

But the app has a few issues.

The New York Times - Tech

This raises a few issues.

The Guardian - Opinion

But all this raises a few issues.

The Guardian - Opinion

With Newark there were very few issues.

The New York Times

"I had a few issues yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

However, there are a few issues.

The Guardian - Tech

Well there are a few issues here.

The Guardian - Tech

A few Issues made good gains.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few issues", be specific about what those issues are to avoid ambiguity. Providing context helps the reader understand the scope and impact of the issues.

Common error

Avoid using "few issues" when the problems are actually numerous or critical. Overstating the significance can undermine your credibility and create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few issues" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun, indicating a limited number of problems or points of concern. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. The phrase typically modifies a statement by acknowledging that some difficulties exist, but they are not overwhelming.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few issues" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to acknowledge a limited number of problems or points of concern. Ludwig AI indicates that it's appropriate for use in written English. It finds frequent usage in news, science, and business contexts, conveying a sense of manageable challenges rather than overwhelming problems. When using "few issues", ensure you are specific about the concerns to avoid ambiguity and be cautious not to overstate the significance of those issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor problems

Focuses more directly on the problematic aspect and suggests a lower degree of severity.

limited concerns

Emphasizes the aspect of worry or apprehension, and restricts the amount of such feelings.

a handful of matters

Replaces "issues" with a more general term, suggesting a small quantity of things to consider.

several points

Shifts the focus to specific items or arguments, suitable for discussions or debates.

some difficulties

Highlights the challenging nature of the problems, implying that they require effort to resolve.

a couple of snags

Introduces a more informal term for problems, suggesting minor hitches or obstacles.

a small number of challenges

Replaces "issues" with "challenges", framing the situation as something to overcome.

certain questions

Focuses on unresolved aspects, implying a need for clarification or investigation.

some sticking points

Highlights specific areas of disagreement or difficulty, suggesting potential conflict.

a few open questions

Emphasizes that certain questions still need to be resolved.

FAQs

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

You can use "few issues" to indicate that there are a small number of problems or concerns. For example, "We have addressed most of the concerns, but there are still "few issues" to resolve before the project is complete."

What's the difference between "few issues" and "minor problems"?

"Few issues" indicates a small quantity of concerns, while "minor problems" emphasizes that the problems are not serious. They can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but the emphasis differs.

What can I say instead of "few issues" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "limited concerns" or "several points". These alternatives convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a few issues" instead of "few issues"?

Yes, both "a few issues" and "few issues" are grammatically correct. "A few issues" emphasizes the existence of some issues, while "few issues" can subtly imply that the number of issues is surprisingly small or less than expected.