few stops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few stops" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of stops in a journey or route, often in the context of public transportation or travel. Example: "The bus will take a few stops before reaching the final destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There were a few stops and missteps.

The New York Times

It was a few stops away.

The New York Times

A few stops later, a middle-aged N.Y.

The New Yorker

We're hoping for a few stops between here and Indy.

The Guardian

Then, a few stops later, his mistress would get on.

The New Yorker

A few stops later, my mother said: "My wallet's gone.

The New York Times - Magazine

Five subway lines are just a few stops from midtown.

The New York Times

The birds shot hours of video: takeoffs, landings, ocean, and quite a few stops in between.

The New York Times - Arts

He finally woke up as he arrived at a station a few stops before his own.

The Economist

In a few stops, he told them to get off and where to go from there.

The New York Times

The Métro is crowded and stuffy, and she decides to get off a few stops early.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few stops", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of stops you are referring to, such as bus stops, train stations, or points in a process.

Common error

Avoid using "few stops" without specifying the mode of transport or the type of journey. Always provide sufficient context to prevent confusion about what the stops refer to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few stops" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies a small number of points along a route or within a process. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "few stops" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a limited number of points in a journey or process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Travel contexts, signaling a neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the nature of the "stops" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a couple of stops" or "several stops" can provide greater specificity depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of stops

Specifies an approximate number of stops, indicating two.

several stops

Indicates more than two stops, but still a limited quantity.

only a few stations

Emphasizes the scarcity of stations along the route.

a small number of stops

Rephrases the idea more explicitly, emphasizing the limited quantity.

a handful of stops

Uses a more figurative expression for a small number.

a limited number of stations

Substitutes "stops" with "stations", maintaining similar meaning.

limited stops

Focuses on the restriction of stops rather than their exact count.

minimal stops

Emphasizes that the stops are kept to the absolute minimum.

infrequent stops

Highlights the spacing between the stops rather than their quantity.

a short distance

Shifts focus from stops to the length of the route or trip.

FAQs

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

You can use "few stops" to describe a journey with a limited number of points, such as "The express train makes only a "few stops" before reaching the city center."

What are some alternatives to saying "few stops"?

Some alternatives include "a couple of stops", "several stops", or "a "small number of stops"", depending on the specific number and context.

Is it better to say "few stops" or "a few stops"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a few stops" often implies a slightly larger number or a less restrictive sense than ""few stops"", which can emphasize the limited quantity.

In what context is the phrase "few stops" most commonly used?

The phrase ""few stops"" is commonly used in the context of public transportation, travel routes, and process descriptions where the number of intermediate points is limited.