few more words

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few more words" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "a few more words" to be grammatically accurate. Example: "Before we conclude, I would like to add a few more words on the topic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In a few more words?

The Guardian - Music

Then Wright uttered a few more words.

The New York Times - Sports

"It needs a few more words.

The New York Times

But he did have a few more words.

The New York Times - Sports

And a few more words about personal space issues.

The New York Times

But he wasn't quite finished; he wanted to say a few more words.

The New York Times

We exchanged a few more words — mine, I'm afraid, a little louder than I'd have liked.

The New York Times

With my Syrian friend translating, we exchanged a few more words about the Lebanese guests.

The New Yorker

"La la la, don't say silly things," I had said (in a few more words).

Independent

Beliefs has usually been blessed with a few more words and greater flexibility.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But Idaho resident Eric Anderson's jealous love letter to a partner lost to another is sweet enough to warrant just a few... more... words.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before speaking, consider how you can be more concise and say "a few more words" to enhance your message delivery.

Common error

One common mistake is omitting the article "a" before "few". Always use "a few more words" to adhere to proper grammatical structure and avoid sounding informal or uneducated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few more words" typically functions as a noun phrase indicating a small quantity of additional words. Though Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not technically correct due to the missing article, it is commonly used in various contexts to denote that someone wants to add a small number of words to what has already been said.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few more words" is a common way to indicate the intention to add a small amount of additional information. However, Ludwig AI points out that, grammatically, it's more accurate to use "a few more words", especially in formal writing. While widely used, omitting the article "a" renders the phrase technically incorrect. Common alternatives include "a couple more words" or "several more words". Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it’s crucial to adjust the phrasing based on the formality required by the writing task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple more words

Substitutes "few" with "couple", indicating a slightly smaller quantity but conveying the same brevity.

a handful more words

Replaces "few" with "handful", suggesting a slightly larger but still limited amount of words.

several more words

Uses "several" instead of "few", implying a slightly greater number of words.

additional words

Replaces "few more" with "additional", making the phrase more formal and less specific about the quantity.

some extra words

Uses "some extra" to express the idea of adding a small, unspecified number of words.

a bit more wording

Replaces "words" with "wording", focusing on the style or manner of expression rather than just the quantity of words.

a little more to say

Changes the structure to emphasize the act of speaking rather than the words themselves.

further comments

Shifts the focus to comments, implying a more structured or formal addition of thoughts.

more elaboration

Emphasizes the act of expanding on a point rather than adding more individual words.

further explanation

Indicates the intention to provide a more thorough or detailed account.

FAQs

Should I use "few more words" or "a few more words"?

While "few more words" is sometimes used in informal speech, the grammatically correct form is "a few more words". Always include the article "a" in formal writing.

What is a more formal way to say "few more words"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "additional comments", "further elaboration", or "further explanation" depending on the context.

Is "few more words" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, "few more words" is considered incorrect due to the missing article. The correct form is "a few more words".

What are some alternatives to "a few more words"?

You can use alternatives such as "a couple more words", "several more words", or "a handful more words" for variety.