few words

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few words" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that what you're saying is brief or concise. For example, "I'll keep this brief, so just a few words about the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I use few words".

The New Yorker

Very few words.

The New York Times

A few words on each.

The New York Times

A few words were exchanged.

The New York Times

Mr. Larsen had few words.

The New York Times

Woodin said a few words.

The New Yorker

She offered a few words.

The New Yorker

A few words of conversation.

The New Yorker

They trade a few words.

The New York Times - Arts

Few words were needed.

The New York Times

Often a few words.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "few words" when you want to emphasize the conciseness of a message or interaction. For example, "He was a man of few words, preferring action to lengthy explanations."

Common error

While "few words" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal documents can make your writing sound simplistic. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "concisely stated" or "briefly summarized" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few words" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as an object of a preposition (e.g., "in few words") or as a complement to a verb (e.g., "exchanged few words"). Ludwig shows it's commonly used to describe brevity or lack of verbosity in communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

19%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "few words" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression in English, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize brevity and conciseness in communication, with its primary function as a noun phrase. While its register is generally neutral, it's prevalent in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. To maintain a professional tone in formal writing, consider alternatives such as "concisely stated" or "briefly summarized". This phrase is versatile, but careful consideration of context will ensure its appropriate and impactful use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal words

Highlights the limited quantity of words used.

economic with words

Highlights the efficient and sparing use of language.

in brief

Emphasizes conciseness and summarization.

concise expression

Highlights the succinctness of the communication.

briefly stated

Focuses on the act of stating something concisely, rather than the quantity of words.

in a nutshell

Highlights that something is being said in a very concise and summarized way.

succinctly put

Focuses on the manner of expression, highlighting its brevity and clarity.

a short statement

Focuses on the resulting communication being concise.

terse communication

Emphasizes brevity and potentially abruptness in communication.

limited vocabulary

Implies a restriction on the range of words used, rather than the number.

FAQs

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

You can use "few words" to describe someone's communication style, like in "She expressed her gratitude in "few words"", or to indicate brevity, such as "The explanation required only a "few words"".

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

"Few words" emphasizes the scarcity or lack of verbosity, while "a few words" suggests a small number of words, but without the same implication of scarcity. For example, "He offered "few words" of comfort" versus "He offered "a few words" of encouragement".

What can I say instead of "few words"?

You can use alternatives like "briefly", "concisely", or "succinctly" to convey a similar meaning. For example, instead of "He explained it in "few words"", you could say "He explained it "briefly"".

Is it grammatically correct to say "few words"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Few" is an adjective that modifies the plural noun "words", indicating a small quantity. The phrase is commonly used and widely accepted in English.