handful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number or quantity of something, often implying that it is manageable or limited. Example: "I only have a handful of cookies left in the jar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A handful of luxury tents were grouped around a central area covered in rugs and cushions; a laden dinner table was set to one side.

The Guardian - Travel

Merchants have walked the route for centuries, but now the first handful of tourists are discovering this unique trek, known as the Chadar.

The Guardian - Travel

When done, season to taste, and mix in a large handful of chopped mint.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There are only a handful of exemptions to the ban on abortion – to save the mother's life, if the pregnancy was a result of rape, or, in a recent controversial addition, if the foetus has anencephaly, a rare birth defect in which the brain and skull do not develop.

The Guardian

A difference of a handful of points could make no tangible difference to the outcome of the in/out vote in the UK if one of the two sides has a clear lead (as most polls currently suggest).

The Guardian

The department announced in May 2014 that several precincts were testing upgraded training and mentoring in a handful of precincts, but it came too late to prepare Liang for that dark hallway.

The Guardian

Add a handful of ice and shake hard.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is confident of winning a handful of seats outright.

The Guardian

At first glance, it's an unremarkable red brick warehouse, one of a handful on Chicago's west side that used to belong to Sears Roebuck, complete with roll-up aluminum doors.

The Guardian

A handful of objects including a Victorian cast of the head of a hanged man and a delicate lace pillow embroidered with her own hair by a woman arrested hundreds of times for public drunkenness have left one of the most private collections in the world for the first time, for the first public exhibition from the Black Museum of the Metropolitan police.

The Guardian

When the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) – the statute which ostensibly "legalises" everything that GCHQ & co do in cyberspace – was going through parliament in 1999, those of us who campaigned against it were astonished to find that no more than a handful of MPs were interested.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "handful" to describe a small quantity that can be literally held in a hand or figuratively represents a manageable number. For example, "a handful of volunteers" suggests a small, easily managed group.

Common error

Avoid using "handful" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "small number" or "limited quantity" might be more appropriate. Overusing informal language can undermine the seriousness of your content.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "handful" is that of a noun, often used to quantify something in a limited or manageable amount. Ludwig AI examples show its application across diverse contexts to denote small quantities or numbers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "handful" is a common and acceptable noun phrase used to denote a small, manageable quantity or number. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts, particularly in news, lifestyle and sports media. While versatile, it's best to reserve "handful" for informal or neutral writing, opting for more precise alternatives like "limited quantity" or ""small number"" in formal contexts. Its communicative purpose is to express limited scale, making it relatable and easy to understand. Avoid overusing it in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small number

Emphasizes the limited quantity but doesn't necessarily imply manageability.

a few

Indicates a small quantity but is more general and less specific than "handful".

small amount

Focuses on the quantity being small, applicable to both countable and uncountable nouns.

limited quantity

Highlights the restriction in quantity, suitable for formal contexts.

select few

Implies the small group is chosen or special in some way.

tiny fraction

Suggests an extremely small portion, often used in statistical contexts.

mere smattering

Indicates a superficial or minimal presence.

sprinkling

Implies a sparse distribution or presence.

pocketful

Refers to the amount that can fit in a pocket, similar to the concept of "handful".

modicum

Signifies a small, limited quantity, often of something abstract.

FAQs

How can I use "handful" in a sentence?

You can use "handful" to describe a small, manageable quantity or number. For example, "Only a "small number" of students attended the lecture", or "She grabbed a "small amount" of nuts from the jar".

What can I say instead of "handful"?

You can use alternatives like "a few", ""small number"", or "limited quantity" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "handful" in formal writing?

While "handful" is generally acceptable, it may be more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "limited quantity" or ""small number"".

What does it mean when something is described as a "handful"?

Describing something as a "handful" means that it is a small amount or quantity, often implying that it is manageable or limited. It can also refer to something that is difficult to handle or manage, such as "That child is a "difficult" kid".