few meetings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few meetings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of meetings that have occurred or are planned. Example: "We only had a few meetings last month to discuss the project updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I remember our first few meetings.

The New Yorker

And it may take a few meetings.

Yale University

"She attended a few meetings with other officials".

The New York Times

Holding a few meetings looked like a significant achievement.

The Guardian

We had Meryl along for a few meetings.

The Guardian - Film

"We've had a few meetings with the minister.

The Guardian

Some organizations have relatively few meetings but run them poorly.

Harvard Business Review

When combined with a few meetings, this collaboration platform can replace the "big room".

Automation in Construction

Well, then, show up to a few meetings and then squawk about a conspiracy.

The New York Times

After attending a few meetings, though, Stewart was not convinced of the crisis.

The New Yorker

"I've been in a few meetings — I've been in three or four meetings myself".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to downplay the importance of the number of meetings, use "few meetings" to suggest that the quantity is not significant or is less than expected.

Common error

Avoid using "few meetings" when you mean to say that no meetings occurred. "Few" implies that there were some meetings, even if the number was small. If there were no meetings, state that directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few meetings" functions as a noun phrase, where 'few' is a determiner quantifying 'meetings'. It specifies a small quantity of scheduled gatherings. Examples from Ludwig show usage in describing schedules or reflecting on past events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few meetings" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a small number of meetings. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and scientific writing. Be mindful of the subtle difference between "few" and "a few", and ensure your usage accurately reflects the intended meaning. Alternatives such as "limited number of gatherings" or "small amount of sessions" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small amount of sessions

This phrase uses "sessions" as a synonym for "meetings" and highlights the reduced quantity.

limited number of gatherings

This alternative emphasizes the small quantity and the formal nature of the meetings.

minimal gatherings

This highlights the small number of gatherings.

not many conferences

Replaces "meetings" with "conferences", implying a more formal setting.

a handful of discussions

This alternative stresses the conversational aspect of meetings, while 'a handful' specifies a small number.

a couple of meetups

"Meetups" suggests a more informal and potentially smaller scale than "meetings".

a scattering of appointments

Using "appointments" suggests scheduled, individual or small group meetings.

sparse assemblies

This option highlights the infrequency and the formal organization of gatherings.

occasional symposia

Replaces "meetings" with "symposia", implying a more formal and academic context.

infrequent convocations

This uses a more formal and less common synonym for meetings, indicating rare occurrences.

FAQs

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

You can use "few meetings" to indicate a small number of meetings. For example, "We only scheduled a "few meetings" this month due to the holiday season."

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

"Few meetings" implies a smaller number and can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, suggesting the number was insufficient. "A "a few meetings"" is more neutral and suggests a small but adequate number.

What are some alternatives to saying "few meetings"?

You can use alternatives like "limited number of gatherings", "small amount of sessions", or "a handful of discussions" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "few meetings" in formal writing?

Yes, "few meetings" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. The suitability depends more on the overall tone and context of the writing rather than the phrase itself.