handful of arguments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful of arguments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of arguments or points in a discussion or debate. Example: "In support of my thesis, I will present a handful of arguments that highlight the importance of renewable energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In one of a small handful of arguments that David Hume explicitly offers for a representational theory of perception, he concludes that "nothing can ever be present to the mind but an image or perception" (Enquiry 12.9; see Treatise 1.4.1.12, 187) by reasoning from considerations having to do with what is known as 'perceptual relativity'.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Calais migrants…Ebola…Scotland ("I think there was about 15 police forces after me on that one")… these are just a handful of the sensitive arguments that she routinely wades into, and you would think it must make it pretty difficult to be a relative of Katie Hopkins, but she claims to have shielded her family as much as she can.

Independent

Roughly 1,100 emails from McLeod's and Henning's initial requests were withheld by Palin with a handful of bogus legal arguments that simply didn't pass the straight-face test.

Huffington Post

This would reduce the grandeur of the hourlong exercises in critical rationality to a handful of misleading soundbites, turning oral arguments into grist for BuzzFeed posts.

The Economist

As for faith, well, a handful of images is as good as an armful of arguments, as the old apostles always knew.

The New Yorker

Nor can we know whether the fact that only a handful of doctors use the procedure (argument 2) reflects the comparative rarity of late second term abortions, the procedure's recent development, the controversy surrounding it, or, as Nebraska suggests, the procedure's lack of utility.

The New York Times

That is despite strong arguments that a handful of EU candidates could benefit from early adoption of the euro.

The Economist

All forms of music, a handful of languages, malt whisky, fierce polemical arguments with family and close friends.

The Guardian - Books

Moreover, I think the Republican argument that a handful of American troops could have saved Iraq misses a larger point.

The New Yorker

Republicans rushed to defend the Army, and the Pentagon's longstanding argument that a handful of rogue jailers were responsible for the misconduct at Abu Ghraib.

The New York Times

AT&T's argument that a handful of small local and regional rivals amount to vibrant competition is unpersuasive: the Justice Department found that, after a merger, 96 of the nation's top 100 markets would be "highly concentrated".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "handful of arguments", ensure that the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a small, limited number of points. Avoid using it when a larger number of arguments are actually present.

Common error

Avoid using "handful of arguments" when the number of arguments is actually more than a few. This can mislead the reader and weaken your point. If you have many points, use phrases like "several arguments" or "numerous arguments" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of arguments" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun phrase. It indicates a limited number of supporting points or reasons in a discussion. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "handful of arguments" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, that signifies a small quantity of supporting points. Its frequency is uncommon and it's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, leaning slightly towards news and science-related content. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the accuracy of the number being represented and avoid overstating the quantity. Alternative phrases like "few arguments" or "small number of reasons" can be employed for semantic variation. Remember to choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited number of reasons

Focuses on the scarcity of the reasons provided, emphasizing the small quantity of supporting evidence.

small set of justifications

Emphasizes the limited scope and purpose of the set of reasons offered as a defense or explanation.

few supporting points

Highlights the limited quantity of evidence presented to validate a statement or claim.

scant collection of reasons

Stresses the inadequacy and small size of the assemblage of justifications provided.

minimal amount of evidence

Concentrates on the exiguous character of the proof available to support a position.

limited range of rationales

Underscores the restricted extent and variety of the underlying principles or logical bases.

small selection of premises

Accentuate the constrained variety of fundamental propositions forming the basis of a reasoning.

restricted supply of explanations

Focuses on the limited availability and nature of the clarifying statements provided.

isolated instances of reasoning

Emphasizes the separate and infrequent occurrences of logical thought used to defend a standpoint.

tiny fraction of proofs

Highlights the incredibly minute proportion of confirmatory facts used to sustain a claim.

FAQs

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

You can use "handful of arguments" to indicate a small number of supporting points. For example: "He presented a handful of arguments to defend his proposal."

What are some alternatives to "handful of arguments"?

Alternatives include "few arguments", "small number of reasons", or "limited supporting points".

Is it appropriate to use "handful of arguments" in formal writing?

Yes, "handful of arguments" is acceptable in formal writing. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall formality of the piece. If you need to be more formal you can say "limited number of reasons".

What's the difference between "handful of arguments" and "many arguments"?

"Handful of arguments" indicates a small quantity, whereas "many arguments" suggests a large number of points. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the actual number of arguments being presented.