few remain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few remain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a small number of items, people, or things are still present or available. Example: "After the storm, only a few remain of the original trees that lined the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But a few remain.

The Guardian - Travel

A few remain.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, though, only a few remain.

The New York Times - Arts

Of these, naturally, very few remain.

Britannica

We're not talking pandas, where just a few remain.

Independent

A few remain unrepentant about their men-only status.

The Guardian

They go for 200 times that today, although few remain.

The New York Times

While most people become frail, a few remain spry.

The New York Times - Health

Only a few remain in Air Force service.

The New York Times

Some errors are detected in this process but often a few remain undetected.

Handbook of Statistics

It is evening, and few remain in the courtyard of his home.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "few remain" to emphasize that a quantity has diminished significantly, highlighting the contrast between the past abundance and current scarcity.

Common error

Avoid using "few remain" when describing a situation where the initial quantity was already small. The phrase is most effective when there's an implied or stated larger original number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few remain" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a small number of items, entities, or individuals persist from a larger original quantity. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few remain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that a small number of items, entities, or individuals persist from a larger original quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When using "few remain", make sure that your focus is on communicating the idea of loss from a larger set, so be mindful of contexts in which the starting quantity was already small. Consider alternatives like "a small number persist" or "only a handful are left" to adjust the nuance or emphasis of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number persist

Replaces "few" with "a small number" and "remain" with "persist", emphasizing the limited quantity and continuation.

only a handful are left

Uses "handful" to denote a small quantity and "are left" instead of "remain", indicating a reduction to a small number.

a scant few endure

Replaces "few" with "scant few" for emphasis and "remain" with "endure", highlighting the persistence despite challenges.

hardly any survive

Focuses on survival with a negative quantifier, indicating that almost none are left.

only a minority continue

Indicates that the remaining amount represents only a minority of the original number. It replaces remain with continue.

a trickle still exist

Implies a very small number that barely persists; replaces remain with exist.

some still linger

Indicates a gradual disappearance, with only a few remaining. It replaces remain with linger.

isolated cases persist

Highlights the rarity and separation of the remaining instances, replacing remain with persist.

a scattering are extant

Suggests a sparse distribution of the remaining items or entities. Replaces remain with extant.

not many are extant

Emphasizes the diminished quantity through negation, expressing that there is only a limited number in existence. Replaces remain with extant.

FAQs

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

Use "few remain" to indicate that a small number of something is left from a larger original quantity. For example: "After the economic crisis, "few remain" in the middle class."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "few remain"?

Alternatives include "a small number persist", "only a handful are left", or "a scant few endure".

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

"Few remain" emphasizes scarcity and a significant reduction from an initial larger number. "A few remain" suggests that some still exist, without necessarily implying a large-scale reduction. The best choice depends on the context and the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "few remain" and "some remain"?

"Few remain" indicates a small quantity left, implying that many have disappeared or been depleted. "Some remain" simply states that there are still some, without necessarily implying a prior larger quantity. "Few" highlights the scarcity more strongly than "some".