few of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'few of which' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase 'few of which' when you are referencing a few of many things already mentioned in the sentence. For example, "I have several hobbies, few of which I can devote a lot of time to."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

AGAINST SALARY INCREASES.; Jersey House's 'Steering Committee' Favors Few of 100 Bills.

The New York Times

Archives|AGAINST SALARY INCREASES.; Jersey House's 'Steering Committee' Favors Few of 100 Bills.

The New York Times

TOAST THE PAST WITH CIDER Few of 900 Original Members of Group Survive -- Youngest Man at Dinner Is 82.

The New York Times

One thing, though, is inevitable: at more than a few of 2013's festivals, there will be mud.

The Guardian

The company stressed a few of FF3's primary features.

TechCrunch

However, the absorption is relatively low, indicating that only few of TiO2 nanoparticles deposit over the surface of TiO2-2 film.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Moreover, few of AP2/ERF TFs are involved to modulate at least two different abiotic stresses in defense response.

Botanical Studies

Johnson, the spokesman, says a few of 3Com's bright spots are wireless networking and gigabit Ethernet connectivity.

Forbes

A few of F4/80- or Ly6G+-positive cells were observed in GF-WA and BF-WA groups.

BioMed Research International

In our primary FLS culture, only a few of DIP2a-positive cells were detected by immunohistochemistry staining.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Only a few of them (OsFLB16 (AFB2), OsFLB21 (TIR1) and DWARK3 (OsFLB27)) have been biologically studied.

Rice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "few of which" to elegantly connect two ideas, indicating a limited subset of previously mentioned items. For example, "I have many books, few of which I have read completely."

Common error

Ensure the "which" refers clearly to a plural noun already established in the sentence. Avoid ambiguity by making the antecedent explicit. For example, instead of "The company launched several products, few of which succeeded," consider "The company launched several products, few of the products succeeded."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few of which" functions as a relative clause introducing a restrictive modifier. It specifies a subset of a previously mentioned group, indicating that only a small number of the items possess a certain quality or characteristic. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "few of which" is a grammatically sound relative clause used to specify a limited subset of items already mentioned. While examples are missing in the provided data, Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Alternatives like "a small number of these" and "only some of them" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. To use "few of which" effectively, ensure clear antecedent agreement and consider the level of formality appropriate for your writing context. It is often found in formal and precise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minority of which

Highlights that the quantity constitutes a smaller portion of a larger group.

a small number of these

Replaces "few" with a more explicit quantity, emphasizing a limited subset.

only a fraction of these

Indicates that a small, unspecified portion is being considered.

only some of them

Highlights the selectivity, indicating that not all items are included.

not many of those

Emphasizes the scarcity, focusing on the limited quantity.

a handful of these

Uses a more informal term for a small quantity, suitable for less formal contexts.

a restricted amount of these

Stresses the limited availability or accessibility of a subset.

just a couple of these

Specifies a very small number, suitable when referring to two or three items.

scarce among these

Highlights the rarity of the items within the group.

some of these are not

Focuses on the negative aspect, indicating that a portion does not possess a certain quality.

FAQs

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

Use "few of which" to refer back to a set of things you've already mentioned. For example, "She has many dresses, "few of which" she actually wears."

What alternatives are there to "few of which"?

You could use phrases like "a small number of these", "only some of them", or "a minority of which" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "few of which" or "few that"?

"Few of which" is generally used when referring back to a specific group of items already mentioned. "Few that" is more general. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a defined set or making a general statement.

What's the difference between "few of which" and "none of which"?

"Few of which" indicates that a small number of the items being referred to have a particular characteristic, whereas "none of which" indicates that absolutely none of them do.