few sorts of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few sorts of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of different types or categories of something. Example: "In the garden, we have a few sorts of flowers that bloom in the spring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Wine is dependent on grapes, which flourish in very few sorts of places.

The New York Times

They come in several varieties, from those found in embryos, which can turn into any sort of body cell, to those whose destiny is constrained to becoming just one or a few sorts of cell.

The Economist

But a majority work in only a few sorts of cells, or possibly even just a single cell type.Discovering how all this is regulated is the province of a branch of biology called epigenomics.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In his interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mitch McConnell finally mentioned a few sort-of specifics about what spending cuts the GOP wants: raising the Medicare age, charging higher premiums to affluent Medicare recipients, and changing the price indexing of Social Security.

The New York Times

He called me one day to say he'd been having "a few, sort of memory problems", and there was something in his voice beyond the usual mild-mannered hesitancy.

The Guardian - Opinion

We also did that with some other songs and created some b-sides from it, and had a few sort of outtakes, experiments.

Huffington Post

Daff was able to put it into concrete terms: "The thing with ICP is there are very few sort of 'casual fans.' I'd say people who like the music but don't consider themselves Juggalos make up maybe five to ten percent of their overall fanbase.

Vice

Also favoring nominalism is Occam's principle which would have us prefer theories with fewer sorts of entities, other things being equal.

SEP

Compare that with Massachusetts, which has a median minimum balance requirement of $6,000 — the highest among the states — but fewer additional sorts of fees (11).

The New York Times

I've been single nearly all of my 20s, minus a few stints of sort-of relationships here and there (none of which lasted longer than six months).

Vice

A few, just sort of housekeeping items.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few sorts of", ensure the context clearly indicates the limited nature of the variety being discussed. For greater impact, follow with specific examples to illustrate the point.

Common error

Avoid using "few sorts of" when a wider range exists. This can mislead the reader. Use alternatives like "several types" or "various kinds" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few sorts of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun. It indicates a limited number or variety of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few sorts of" correctly conveys a limited variety or number of items. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness. It is versatile, appearing in news, science, and wiki contexts. While generally neutral, ensure its usage aligns with the actual range being described to avoid misrepresentation. Consider alternatives like "limited kinds of" or "small number of types" for nuanced expressions. Remember, "few sorts of" sets an expectation of scarcity in variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited kinds of

Emphasizes the restricted variety available.

small number of types

Focuses on the quantity of different categories.

restricted range of

Highlights the narrowness of the selection.

limited assortment of

Suggests a curated, but small, collection.

handful of varieties

Implies a very small and manageable number of options.

narrow spectrum of

Indicates a limited scope or range of types.

select few types of

Emphasizes the deliberate selection of a small group.

some limited categories of

Highlights that categories are limited.

just a couple types of

Directly indicates that there are only two types.

a sparse selection of

Suggests that the available options are limited and not abundant.

FAQs

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

You can use "few sorts of" to indicate a limited variety. For example, "The garden has a "few sorts of" flowers, mainly roses and tulips."

What are some alternatives to "few sorts of"?

Alternatives include "limited kinds of", "small number of types", or "restricted range of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "few types of" or "few sorts of"?

Both "few types of" and "few sorts of" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey. "Type" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

How does "few sorts of" differ from "many sorts of"?

"Few sorts of" implies a limited variety, while "many sorts of" suggests a wide or diverse range. They are antonyms and convey opposite meanings regarding variety.