few studies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few studies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of research studies or investigations on a particular topic. Example: "There are few studies that have examined the long-term effects of this medication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Few studies inspect the underlying causes.

The New York Times

The few studies that overcame that hurdle are not encouraging.

The New York Times

Scientists have carried out few studies to test this idea.

The New York Times - Science

Few studies have examined the mental capacity of sick patients.

The New York Times - Health

A few studies have done just that.

BBC

But a few studies offer some hints.

Science Magazine

However, few studies have addressed this issue.

Research Policy

Few studies have addressed single crest phenomena.

Advances in Space Research

However, few studies have tested this assumption.

Journal of Hydrology

Nevertheless, few studies have explored turbidity modeling.

Applied Water Science

There are few studies on this topic.

Financial Innovation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few studies", clearly define the scope of the research area you are referencing to provide context to the limited number of investigations.

Common error

Avoid using "few studies" when there is actually a moderate amount of research available. Ensure you have thoroughly reviewed the literature before claiming a scarcity of investigations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few studies" functions as a quantifier + noun, typically acting as the subject or part of the subject in a sentence. It indicates a limited quantity of academic or scientific investigations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few studies" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, primarily within scientific and news contexts, to indicate a limited amount of research on a specific topic. Ludwig AI validates its usage and identifies its function as a quantifier + noun, emphasizing the need for further investigation in under-researched areas. When using this phrase, ensure accuracy in assessing the existing research and consider alternative expressions like "limited research" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited research

Focuses on the scarcity of research, using a more direct noun phrase.

scarce investigations

Replaces "studies" with "investigations" and "few" with "scarce", highlighting the rarity of the inquiries.

a handful of studies

Emphasizes the small number of studies using a more figurative expression.

a small number of researches

Uses a more formal tone by replacing "studies" with "researches" and "few" with "a small number of".

minimal research exists

Shifts the focus to the existence of research, using "minimal" to indicate a small amount.

limited empirical evidence

Highlights the lack of supporting data by focusing on "empirical evidence".

under-researched area

Describes the topic as lacking sufficient research attention.

research is lacking

Directly states the absence of sufficient research.

unexplored territory

Metaphorically describes the topic as uncharted, suggesting a lack of investigation.

insufficient data available

Focuses on the lack of available data, implying a need for more studies.

FAQs

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

You can use "few studies" to indicate a limited amount of research on a particular topic. For example, "Few studies have examined the long-term effects of this treatment."

What are some alternatives to saying "few studies"?

Alternatives include "limited research", "scarce investigations", or "a handful of studies", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "few studies" in formal writing?

Yes, "few studies" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic or scientific contexts, as it accurately conveys the scarcity of research on a given subject.

What does "few studies" imply about the research topic?

"Few studies" suggests that the topic may be relatively new, under-researched, or that the existing research may be inconclusive or preliminary.