few professionals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few professionals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of professionals in a specific field or context. Example: "In this industry, there are few professionals who specialize in renewable energy technologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have so few professionals, the disparity is so great".

The New York Times - Sports

But despite evidence of the benefits, few professionals are putting them into practice.

The Guardian

Only a few professionals among them enjoy the power to bargain collectively.

The New York Times - Magazine

Few professionals took his theory seriously at the time, but in 2011 DNA evidence proved him right.

The New Yorker

It was a stroke of sheer genius, one that few professionals would concede was possible, let alone attempt to execute.

The Guardian - Sport

Here, a few professionals share their advice on how to make the renovation process go more smoothly.

The New York Times

"The biggest difference was that, unlike in the prison, I met very few professionals who had given up on life".

The Guardian

A few professionals performed, such as John Lamont, a blond songster who formerly led the New Christy Minstrels.

The New Yorker

At the time there were just a few professionals in Germany, but the amateur business was thriving.

Independent

I spoke to a few professionals, two doctors in particular, working in the public health care system now.

The New York Times

There are few things more satisfying to a photographer than taking a camera where few professionals have been before.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few professionals", ensure the context clearly defines the profession being discussed. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "few professionals" without specifying the field or area of expertise. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few professionals" functions as a determiner + noun, modifying an implied subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to denote a limited quantity of individuals with specific expertise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "few professionals" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the limited number of experts in a particular field. As Ludwig AI states, it is usable in written English and appears frequently across news, scientific and formal contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to specify the area of expertise to avoid ambiguity. While "a few professionals" suggests a small but present number, "few professionals" highlights scarcity. Alternatives like "limited number of experts" or "scarce professional workforce" can be used for variety, but the choice depends on the specific context and nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited number of experts

Replaces "few" with "limited number" and "professionals" with "experts", emphasizing scarcity and specialized knowledge.

scarce professional workforce

Uses "scarce" to highlight the limited availability of professionals, focusing on the workforce aspect.

small pool of specialists

Emphasizes the limited selection of specialists, using "pool" to suggest a collective group.

restricted group of experts

Highlights the exclusivity of a group of experts, suggesting that their number is deliberately limited.

limited availability of practitioners

Focuses on the limited access to practitioners in a particular field, emphasizing the difficulty in finding them.

rare breed of specialists

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate that specialists are uncommon and hard to find.

underpopulated professional sector

Describes a sector with an insufficient number of professionals, highlighting the lack of personnel.

thin ranks of experts

Implies that the number of experts is sparse and insufficient, using the term "thin ranks" to convey this idea.

shortage of qualified individuals

Indicates a deficit of individuals possessing the necessary qualifications and skills to be considered professionals.

insufficient quantity of specialists

Highlights the inadequacy in the number of specialists available, focusing on the quantitative aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "few professionals" to indicate a limited number of experts or practitioners in a specific field. For example, "Few professionals specialize in this niche area of engineering".

What are some alternatives to "few professionals"?

Alternatives include "limited number of experts", "small pool of specialists", or "scarce professional workforce", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a few professionals" or "few professionals"?

"A few professionals" implies a small but positive number, whereas "few professionals" suggests a scarcity or insufficiency. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the presence or the lack of professionals.

What is the difference between "few professionals" and "very few professionals"?

"Very few professionals" intensifies the sense of scarcity, indicating an even smaller number than "few professionals" alone. The addition of "very" emphasizes the limited availability to a greater degree.