few visitors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few visitors" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically implies a smaller than expected number of people. For example, "We had fewer visitors at the exhibition this year than last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But few visitors stopped.

The New York Times

Few visitors ventured there.

The New York Times

There he saw few visitors.

The New York Times - Arts

He has very few visitors.

The New Yorker

In winter, the few visitors feel conspicuous.

The New York Times

Few visitors get in to see him.

The New York Times - Sports

The Cedar Mountains have few visitors.

The New York Times - Travel

Ballybunion is a sad little town with few visitors.

The New York Times

But few visitors had raised safety concerns, tour operators said.

The New York Times

It is usually a quiet place with few visitors.

The Economist

Few visitors may see even the candy floss.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing attendance at an event, consider the specific context. Use "few visitors" for general places or institutions, and "few attendees" or "poorly attended" for events that expected a larger crowd. "Few guests" is preferable for private events or homes.

Common error

Be aware that "few" has a slightly negative connotation, implying that the number is lower than expected or desired. If you want to state a small number neutrally, consider using "a small number of visitors" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few visitors" functions as a determiner + noun phrase. It quantifies the noun "visitors", indicating a small number. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "few visitors" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote a small number of individuals visiting a place or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in English writing. While the phrase itself is relatively simple, its specific connotation – often implying a lower-than-expected or somewhat disappointing turnout – should be considered when choosing it over more neutral alternatives like "a small number of visitors". As illustrated by the examples Ludwig provides, "few visitors" appears most frequently in news and media, maintaining a neutral register suitable for broad communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarce visitors

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of visitors.

limited number of visitors

Focuses on the restriction or small quantity of visitors allowed or expected.

small number of guests

Uses "guests" instead of "visitors", suitable for events or hospitality contexts.

hardly any visitors

Expresses a near absence of visitors, highlighting the lack thereof.

minimal attendance

Emphasizes the low level of participation or presence, particularly at events.

thinly attended

Describes an event or place with a sparse gathering of people.

poorly attended

Highlights the disappointing number of attendees at an event.

sparsely populated with visitors

Describes a space with very few visitors spread out within it.

a trickle of visitors

Suggests a very slow and infrequent arrival of visitors.

infrequent guests

Focuses on the lack of regular or repeated visits.

FAQs

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

You can use "few visitors" to describe a place or event that does not have many people attending, such as: "The museum had "few visitors" during the off-season" or "The remote island receives "few visitors" each year".

What are some alternatives to saying "few visitors"?

Alternatives to "few visitors" include phrases like "scarce visitors", "limited number of visitors", or "small number of guests", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "few visitors"?

Yes, "few visitors" is grammatically correct. "Few" is a determiner that means "not many", and it is appropriately used with the plural noun "visitors".

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

"Few visitors" implies a small number that is perhaps disappointing or lower than expected. "A few visitors" suggests a small number, but without the negative connotation; it's more neutral.