few tasks are

USAGE SUMMARY

"few tasks are" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a small amount of something. For example, "I have a few tasks to take care of today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Even here, few tasks are more daunting.

The New York Times

FEW tasks are more central to central banking than providing liquidity to banks efficiently and equitably.

The Economist

FEW tasks are more exasperating than trying to assemble flat-pack furniture from IKEA.

The Economist

"Few tasks are more exasperating than trying to assemble flat-pack furniture from IKEA," The Economist wrote in 2006.

The New Yorker

In the complex business of procuring organs to supply a growing demand, few tasks are as delicate as Mr. LeMay's.

The New York Times - Health

Few tasks are more ingrained within the minds of practicing surgeons than the dictation of the narrative report of an operation.

Journal of Surgical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Kennedy & Johnson, few tasks were more frustrating than the effort to answer the great questions of foreign policy.

The New Yorker

The sheriff's deputy, Chris Collins, said few tasks were more fun than tracking growers like some modern species of woodland varmint.

The New York Times

It was a political imperative for the Empire to present itself to Muslims as a friend and protector, to take seriously what one scholar called its role as "the greatest Mohamedan power in the world". Few tasks were more important than engagement with the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Harvard University

Few tasks were left to complete when the 1977 construction season began.

Wikipedia

Fifth, only a few tasks were used to determine face validity, educational value, and user-friendliness.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "few tasks are" when you want to emphasize that the number of tasks is relatively small or limited compared to a larger set of possible tasks.

Common error

Avoid using "few tasks are" when you actually mean "no tasks are". "Few" implies that there are some, even if only a small number, whereas "none" indicates a complete absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few tasks are" primarily functions as a quantifier phrase, indicating a limited quantity of tasks that meet a specific condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few tasks are" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for indicating a limited number of tasks. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. It's versatile enough for news, academic, and scientific contexts, though its frequency is uncommon. When writing, remember that "few" implies some existence, differentiating it from "none". For variations, consider phrases like "a small number of tasks involve" or "limited tasks are". Overall, it's a reliable option when you need to express scarcity with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of tasks involve

Replaces "few" with "a small number of", making it slightly more descriptive.

limited tasks are

Uses "limited" instead of "few" to emphasize restriction.

only some tasks are

Replaces "few" with "only some", highlighting exclusivity.

not many tasks are

Employs a more informal tone using "not many" instead of "few".

a handful of tasks are

Uses "a handful of" to suggest a very small quantity, adding a visual element.

scarce tasks are

Replaces "few" with "scarce", emphasizing rarity.

minimal tasks are

Uses "minimal" to emphasize the lower bound on quantity

isolated tasks are

Conveys that the tasks are not very common

rare tasks are

Replaces few with a word that emphasizes something that doesn't happen a lot

a minority of tasks are

This replaces "few" with "a minority of" increasing the length and formality.

FAQs

How to use "few tasks are" in a sentence?

The phrase "few tasks are" is used to indicate that only a small number of tasks meet a certain criterion or are relevant in a given situation. For instance, "Few tasks are as challenging as learning a new language".

What can I say instead of "few tasks are"?

You can use alternatives like "a small number of tasks involve", "limited tasks are", or "only some tasks are" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "few tasks is"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. "Tasks" is plural, so you must use the plural form of the verb, which is "are". The correct phrase is "few tasks are".

What's the difference between "few tasks are" and "a few tasks are"?

"Few tasks are" implies a small number that is almost negligible or disappointing. "A few tasks are" suggests a small number, but without the negative connotation. It's simply stating that some tasks meet the criteria, without judging the quantity.