for a few if not all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a few if not all" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something applies to a small number of people, but possibly to everyone as well. Example: "The new policy will benefit for a few if not all employees in the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plan a few icebreaker games if not all your friends know each other.

WikiHow

Do you mind if I look around/ask a few questions?" Most, if not all pilots, will happily answer questions or show you the airplane if time permits.

WikiHow

But few doubted that ultimately, most, if not all, of the anchors would accept the terms.

The New York Times

Don't forget that your university careers service isn't closed to you: most, if not all, allow graduates access for a few years after they leave.

Independent

Because it is cherished -- not by just a few but by most if not all senators, for the potential leverage it may afford any of them on some future issue.

The New York Times

Simply focusing upon the increased number of burglaries for some household types compared to others during the crime drop masks the fact that the majority, if not all, experience fewer burglaries than in the past.

Crime Science

Despite these few persistent problems, the Rhufel et al. tree appears to address many if not all remaining questions.

BMC Biology

There are but a few tumor associated antigens that appear to be universal for most if not all cancers, and these have shown promise as candidates for vaccine development.

Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics

Adding even a few additional years of work in retirement can allow many families to make up for much, if not all, of their projected retirement-savings shortfall.

Forbes

And a few are surprising, even though most if not all have been perennial targets for conservatives.

The New York Times

Three cheers for Spelman College in Atlanta for dropping its expensive athletic program serving relatively few and instead focusing on a fitness effort benefiting many if not all students.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a few if not all" to suggest that something applies to a limited group, but it's possible it extends to everyone. This adds nuance and avoids overgeneralization.

Common error

Avoid using "for a few if not all" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound less precise than alternative phrasings like "for some, if not all" or specifying the actual scope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a few if not all" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a statement applies to a limited number of entities, but possibly to the entire group. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples demonstrating its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for a few if not all" serves as a qualifier, expressing that a statement is primarily applicable to a limited group but may extend to the entire group. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is grammatically correct and versatile, commonly used in neutral and informal contexts. Though not overly frequent, its nuanced meaning is valuable when communicating uncertainty about scope. For more formal writing, considering alternatives such as "for some, if not everyone" can enhance precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

For some, if not everyone

Replaces "a few" with "some" and "all" with "everyone", providing a more general alternative.

For a handful, if not all

Substitutes "a few" with "a handful", emphasizing a smaller quantity.

For a select few, perhaps all

Introduces the idea of a "select few", suggesting exclusivity before potentially including everyone.

For a minority, if not the majority

Contrasts "a minority" with "the majority", highlighting the possibility of wider inclusion.

To a limited extent, if not entirely

Shifts the focus to the degree of impact, from limited to complete.

For several, if not all individuals

Replaces "a few" with "several", suggesting a slightly larger group, and adds "individuals" for emphasis.

Affecting a small number, possibly all

Uses "affecting a small number" to convey the initial limited impact before considering the possibility of wider influence.

Impacting a few, if not the entire group

Employs "impacting a few" to indicate the initial scope, then extends it to the "entire group".

Applicable to a small segment, perhaps universal

Uses "applicable to a small segment" to specify the initial scope and introduces the possibility of it being "universal".

Reaching a few, if not every single one

Expresses the reach starting with "a few", then escalates to "every single one" for emphasis.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "for a few if not all" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "for some, if not everyone" or "for a select few, perhaps all". These options provide a more sophisticated and precise alternative.

What's the difference between "for a few if not all" and "for many if not all"?

"For a few if not all" suggests a smaller initial group with the possibility of wider inclusion. "For many if not all" implies a larger initial group with the same possibility. The key difference lies in the implied size of the starting group.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "for a few if not all"?

While grammatically sound, "for a few if not all" might be less suitable in contexts requiring high precision. If the scope is known, specifying it directly is preferable. Otherwise, the phrase is acceptable for conveying uncertainty about the exact scope.

What are some common situations where "for a few if not all" is appropriate?

This phrase is suitable when discussing potential benefits, impacts, or characteristics that might apply to a limited number of individuals, but could potentially extend to the entire group. For example, "This policy will improve morale "for a few if not all" employees".