found a few

USAGE SUMMARY

"found a few" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when someone has managed to locate an unspecified number of something, usually something small. For example: "I was looking everywhere for the missing pens, but I finally found a few in the back of the drawer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I found a few.

The New York Times

We found a few pieces like that.

The New Yorker

He has found a few flaws.

The New York Times

And he has found a few prospects.

The New York Times - Sports

"We found a few startling examples".

The Guardian

They found a few.

The New York Times

I found a few others.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Preljocaj did find a few.

The New York Times - Arts

"Maybe I'll find a few collaborators".

The New Yorker

We did find a few minor bugs.

Cornell University

A. I find a few people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "found a few" when reporting results, discoveries, or solutions after searching.

Common error

Avoid using "found a few" excessively in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "identified several instances" or "observed a limited number of cases" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found a few" functions as a verb phrase indicating the discovery or location of a small, unspecified number of items or entities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a correct and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "found a few" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate the discovery of a small, unspecified quantity of items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression suitable for various contexts, though more formal settings may benefit from more precise language. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its common use in news, academic, and scientific domains. When writing, ensure the level of formality aligns with the context and choose more specific alternatives if precision is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discovered some

Replaces "found" with "discovered", emphasizing the act of uncovering something previously unknown.

located a couple

Substitutes "found" with "located" and "few" with "couple", suggesting a slightly more precise quantity.

identified several

Uses "identified" instead of "found" highlighting recognition and "several" to suggest the existence of more than just a few.

came across some

Emphasizes the accidental nature of finding something, replacing "found" with "came across".

unearthed a handful

Uses "unearthed" to imply discovery, often after searching, and "handful" to indicate quantity.

detected a number of

Implies a formal or scientific discovery, using "detected" and "a number of" for emphasis.

spotted a small amount

Highlights visual detection and uses "small amount" to quantify the finding.

encountered a scattering of

Suggests a dispersed distribution of what was found, using "encountered" and "scattering".

turned up a couple of

Implies that something was revealed unexpectedly and using "couple of" to show the quantity.

retrieved a limited quantity

Highlights controlled or intentional finding, and shows more professionalism.

FAQs

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

You can use "found a few" to indicate the discovery of a small number of items. For instance, "I "found a few errors" in the report" or "We "found a few solutions" to the problem".

What are some alternatives to "found a few"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "discovered some", "identified several", or "located a couple" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "found a few" appropriate for formal writing?

While "found a few" is grammatically correct, it might be more suitable for informal or general contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives such as "identified several instances" or "observed a limited number".

What's the difference between "found a few" and "found many"?

"Found a few" indicates a small quantity, while "found many" suggests a larger number. The choice depends on the actual quantity discovered; use "found a few" if the number is relatively small and "found many" if it's substantial.