few were later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few were later" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a small number of individuals or items were subsequently involved or affected by something. Example: "Few were later recognized for their contributions to the project, despite their hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Some of those people never returned, and a few were later found murdered, possibly by Tatunca.

The New Yorker

A few were later recruited for plantations in Queensland, Australia, as well as in Fiji, Samoa, and Hawaii.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some ADF personnel serving on exchange with British and American units did see combat, and a few were later decorated for their actions.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Only a few parameters were later determined by fitting model predictions to clinical data.

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology

Then a few were added later, like the movie theater.

The New York Times

He collapsed and, a few minutes later, was dead.

The Economist

The 5,000m a few days later was uglier still.

The Guardian - Sport

And what happened a few years later was tragic".

The New York Times - Arts

The next morning or a few hours later is best.

WikiHow

A few hours later they were back.

The New York Times

A few years later, they were married.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "few were later", ensure the context clearly establishes the group from which the few are drawn. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "few were later" when a more precise quantifier (e.g., "two", "three", "several") would provide greater clarity and impact. Overusing "few" can make your writing vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few were later" functions as a quantifier followed by a passive verb construction. According to Ludwig, it indicates that a small number of entities experienced a certain condition or action at a time subsequent to a specified event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "few were later" is grammatically correct and indicates that a small number of entities experienced something after a certain point. While not very common, it's found in diverse sources like news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in various contexts. For more formal writing, alternatives like "a small number were subsequently" can be considered. Ensure the context clearly defines the initial group for clarity. Avoid overuse, opting for precise quantifiers when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number were subsequently

Replaces "few" with "a small number" and "later" with "subsequently", maintaining the meaning.

just a few were later

Adds "just" for emphasis, highlighting the limited quantity.

a handful were afterward

Substitutes "few" with "a handful" and "later" with "afterward", altering the tone slightly.

some were subsequently

Replaces "few" with "some", indicating a slightly larger, but still undefined, quantity.

a couple were later

Replaces "few" with "a couple", specifying a smaller number (typically two).

only a few were then

Adds "only" for emphasis and replaces "later" with "then", indicating a limited quantity at a specific time.

not many were subsequently

Uses a negative construction to express a small quantity and replaces "later" with "subsequently".

a minority were afterward

Replaces "few" with "a minority", emphasizing the small proportion.

a select few were subsequently

Implies a chosen or special group among a small number.

certain individuals were later

Replaces "few" with "certain individuals", making the phrase more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "few were later" in a sentence?

You can use "few were later" to indicate that a small number of people or things experienced something after an initial event or period. For instance, "Many applied for the grant, but "few were later" approved".

What are some alternatives to "few were later"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a small number were subsequently", "a handful were afterward", or "some were subsequently", depending on the desired nuance.

Is "few were later" formal or informal?

"Few were later" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "a minority were afterward" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

How does "few were later" compare to "some were later"?

"Few were later" implies a smaller quantity than "some were later". "Few" suggests a distinctly small number, whereas "some" indicates a less specific, potentially larger, quantity.