few of those

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few of those" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of specific items or people previously mentioned or implied. Example: "While many attended the event, few of those who RSVP'd actually showed up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But few of those jobs will last.

The New York Times

A few of those artists have remained.

The New York Times

She knew a few of those.

The Economist

I read a few of those articles.

The New York Times

I sent a few of those over.

The New York Times - Magazine

A few of those are true".

The New York Times

Few of those episodes were in Anaheim Hills.

The New York Times

There's a few of those.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"A few of those," Theodorou said.

The New York Times - Sports

Few of those resources are renewable.

The New York Times - Magazine

I've saved a few of those.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few of those", ensure the context clearly establishes what "those" refers to, preventing ambiguity. For example, "Many applied for the scholarship, but "few of those" met all the criteria."

Common error

Be mindful that "few" has a slightly negative connotation, implying a smaller quantity than desired. If you intend to be neutral, consider using "a small number of those" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few of those" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating a limited quantity of previously mentioned items or individuals. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

4%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few of those" is a grammatically sound and commonly used determiner phrase to express a limited quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, though its neutral register makes it adaptable for both formal and informal communication. While "few" carries a slightly negative implication, alternatives like "a small number of those" can be used for neutrality. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "few of those" is an effective way to specify a limited portion of a previously referenced group or set.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only a few of those

Adds emphasis to the limited quantity, using "only" to highlight scarcity.

just a few of those

Similar to "only a few", adding the adverb "just" to reinforce the limited aspect of the amount or number.

a small number of those

Emphasizes the limited quantity using "small number" instead of "few".

a limited number of those

Highlights the restriction on quantity using "limited" to specify the restricted amount.

a handful of those

Replaces "few" with "handful", suggesting a small, manageable quantity.

not many of those

Expresses the scarcity indirectly, focusing on the lack of quantity.

some of those

A more general term indicating the existence of a portion of the referenced items, although not specifying the amount.

several of those

Implies more than "few", suggesting a moderate quantity.

a couple of those

Specifically indicates two items out of the referenced group.

a minority of those

Indicates that the referred items represent a smaller portion of the overall group.

FAQs

How can I use "few of those" in a sentence?

"Few of those" is used to indicate a small quantity of items or people previously mentioned or understood in the context. For example: "Many books were on the shelf, but "few of those" were actually read."

What are some alternatives to "few of those"?

Alternatives to "few of those" include "a small number of those", "a handful of those", or "some of those" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is "few of those" formal or informal?

"Few of those" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality of your writing depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "few of those" and "a few of those"?

"Few of those" implies a small quantity, often with a negative connotation (less than expected or desired). "A few of those" also implies a small quantity, but the connotation is more positive or neutral. For example: "Few of those applicants were qualified" (negative), vs. "A few of those applicants were qualified" (neutral).