handful of

USAGE SUMMARY

"handful of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a small number of things. For example, "I only had a handful of peanuts left in the bag."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A handful of carbon.

The Guardian

A handful of happy experiences.

The New Yorker

A handful of players watched.

The New York Times - Sports

I never eat a handful of ladybugs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Only a handful of Democrats will defect.

The New York Times

Howard made a handful of strong saves.

The New York Times - Sports

A handful of smallish Asian tigers followed.

The Economist

He made a handful of experimental shorts.

The New Yorker

"It was a handful of things.

The New York Times - Sports

A handful of states limit this option.

The New York Times

A handful of seminaries won't, however.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "handful of" when you want to convey a small, indefinite quantity that can be literally or figuratively held in a hand. Avoid using it for precise measurements.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, excessive use of "handful of" can make formal writing sound less professional. Opt for more precise quantifiers like "small number of" or "few" in formal reports or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of" functions as a determiner quantifying a noun. Ludwig examples show it preceding both countable (e.g., "handful of players") and uncountable nouns (e.g., "handful of carbon"), indicating a small quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

23%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "handful of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a small quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news media and general writing. While versatile, it's best to use more precise quantifiers in formal settings. Related phrases include "small number of" or ""few"", depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to avoid overuse in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few

A concise alternative to "handful of", suitable for most contexts where the quantity is small.

small number of

Replaces "handful of" with a more formal and precise term, indicating a limited quantity.

mere few

Emphasizes the insignificance of the small quantity.

limited quantity of

Emphasizes the restriction in amount compared to "handful of".

select few

Highlights the exclusivity or special nature of the small group or amount.

pocketful of

Similar to handful, but with the limitation of what can be held in a pocket.

sprinkling of

Suggests a sparse distribution, similar to a small amount scattered loosely.

scattering of

Indicates a small, dispersed amount.

smattering of

Implies a small, scattered, and often varied collection.

modicum of

Implies a very small, often barely sufficient amount.

FAQs

How can I use "handful of" in a sentence?

"Handful of" is typically used to describe a small quantity of something. For example, "I grabbed a handful of almonds for a snack" or "Only a "few" people attended the meeting".

What's the difference between "handful of" and "bunch of"?

While both refer to a small quantity, "handful of" implies what can be held in one hand, while "bunch of" suggests items that are clustered or grouped together. You might say "a handful of grapes" if you can hold them, but "a "bunch of" grapes" if they're still on the vine.

What can I say instead of "handful of"?

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

Is it correct to use "handful of" with uncountable nouns?

While less common, it's acceptable if you're referring to a quantity you could theoretically hold in your hand. For example, "a handful of sand" is acceptable, but using it with abstract nouns like "a handful of happiness" would be metaphorical.