few of them

USAGE SUMMARY

"few of them" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "We invited a lot of people to the party, but only a few of them were able to attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Few of them work.

The New York Times

Few of them are ideological.

The New York Times

Ozil utilises few of them.

Independent

Few of them make headlines.

The New York Times

J.D. Drew got a few of them.

The New York Times

A few of them for empire.

The New Yorker

A few of them shaved their heads.

The New Yorker

I've known a few of them.

The New York Times

Few of them did during the crisis.

The New York Times

There are quite a few of them.

The New York Times

I have a few of them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "few of them" when you want to emphasize that only a small number of items or people within a specific group meet a certain criterion or possess a particular characteristic.

Common error

Avoid using "few of them" when you actually mean "none of them". "Few" implies that some exist, whereas "none" indicates a complete absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few of them" functions as a determiner phrase, quantifying a subset of a previously mentioned group. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and suitable for use in writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "few of them" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a small quantity within a larger group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. While frequently found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize scarcity, and avoid confusing it with "none of them". Understanding subtle differences from alternatives like "a small number of them" or "only a few of those" will help you communicate with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of them

Emphasizes the limited quantity more directly than the original phrase.

not many of them

Uses negation to convey a similar meaning, focusing on the lack of a large quantity.

only a few of those

More specific, implying a particular subset of individuals or items.

a handful of them

Suggests a very small, almost negligible quantity.

just a couple of them

Indicates a minimal number, often two, of the items in question.

only some of them

Implies that there are some who meet a certain criteria, but the quantity is not high.

a minority of them

Highlights that the quantity represents a smaller portion compared to the rest.

relatively few of them

Implies a comparison with a larger quantity or expectation.

a limited number of them

Emphasizes restriction on the amount or quantity.

scarce among them

Suggests the rare existence of something within the specified group.

FAQs

How do I use "few of them" in a sentence?

"Few of them" is used to indicate that a small number of items or people within a larger group meet a certain condition. For example, "We invited many guests, but "few of them" RSVP'd yes".

What's the difference between "few of them" and "some of them"?

"Few of them" implies a small number, often less than expected, while "some of them" simply indicates that a certain number exist without implying scarcity. The phrase "some of them" carries no implication about the amount or number of entities being smaller than the overall amount.

Can I use "few of them" in formal writing?

Yes, "few of them" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a grammatically correct and widely understood phrase, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI.

What are some alternatives to "few of them"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a small number of them", "not many of them", or "only a few of those".