few students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few students" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a small number of students in comparison to a larger group. For example, "Only a few students were present during the lecture due to the snowstorm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A few students laughed.

The New Yorker

But few students did that.

The New Yorker

"Few students did well.

The New York Times

Hesitantly, a few students called out.

The New York Times

A few students created elaborate productions.

The New York Times

Few students live in the hamlet.

The New York Times

Few students had long lists of activities.

The New York Times

Vocational track programmes therefore attract few students.

The Guardian

FEW students today can afford indecision.

The New York Times

Few students challenge his way now.

The New York Times

Few students stay for four years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few students", ensure the context clearly establishes the larger group from which they are a minority. This provides a frame of reference and clarifies the significance of their small number.

Common error

Avoid using "few students" when the context requires a neutral or positive tone. "Few" often implies a negative assessment (e.g., disappointment in low attendance), so choose a more neutral alternative like "a small number of students" if negativity is not intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few students" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, exemplified in sentences where it modifies the noun "students" to indicate a small quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few students" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a small quantity of students, particularly when contrasted with a larger group or expectation. Ludwig AI analysis validates its proper usage across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Scientific publications. When choosing alternatives, consider the intended emphasis: "a small number of students" offers neutrality, while "not many students" conveys a similar meaning. Remember that "few" often carries a slightly negative connotation, so choose your words wisely to match the context and avoid unintended implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of students

Replaces "few" with a more explicit quantifier, focusing on the quantity.

not many students

Employs a negative construction to convey a similar meaning.

a handful of students

Uses a more figurative term to indicate a small quantity.

limited number of students

Highlights the restricted quantity of students.

only a few students

Adds emphasis to the scarcity of the number of students.

a minority of students

Indicates that the students represent a smaller group within a larger population.

scarce number of students

Emphasizes the rarity of students.

insufficient number of students

Highlights the inadequacy of the number of students for a specific purpose.

isolated cases of students

Highlights the rarity and uniqueness of students.

a trickle of students

Uses a metaphor to describe the small and continuous flow of students.

FAQs

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

You can use "few students" to indicate that the number of students is small compared to what is expected or desired. For example, "Few students attended the optional review session before the exam".

What's the difference between "few students" and "a few students"?

"Few students" emphasizes the smallness of the number, often with a negative connotation, whereas "a few students" simply indicates there are some students, without necessarily implying a negative assessment.

Which is correct, "few students is" or "few students are"?

The correct phrase is "few students are" because "students" is a plural noun, and therefore requires a plural verb.

What can I say instead of "few students" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "a small number of students" or "a limited number of students".