handful of data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful of data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small quantity of data or information that is manageable or easy to handle. Example: "In our analysis, we only had a handful of data points to work with, which limited our conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

In the interim, a handful of data lines provided by other companies, including AT&T, served as a backup.

The New York Times - Tech

But based on the handful of data that is available, we estimate that Mr. Romney will do about 2 points better in likely voter than registered voter surveys.

The New York Times

Because what could be more convenient than a handful of data points taking up the entire view on an OS that's had 20 years of practice at showing windows of information.

The Guardian - Tech

The disproportionate number of cross-references and chemical substance coverage coming from a handful of data contributors (Table 1) points to their diverging focus areas in data collection.

Journal of Cheminformatics

In simple terms, the content delivered by GridCasting is initially buffered by a handful of data centers.

TechCrunch

I had only a handful of data points perhaps a dozen or so and the fit to my model failed a significance test.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

In the next section, we propose a highly general representation of scientific data based on a handful of simple data structures annotated with descriptive metadata.

Briefings in Bioinformatics

Elevated blood-lead level data is the most recent available — for most states, this means the data is from 2012 or 2013, but for a handful of states, data is from earlier years.

Huffington Post

But the principle is important: a handful of anecdotal data points are not worth very much in a country of more than 300 million people.

The New York Times

There are a handful of other data centers across the city, notably several that lease space at 111 Eighth Avenue, the huge Chelsea office building that Google acquired last year.

The New York Times

Many economists say they believe that growth will slow in the third quarter to an annual rate of 2.3 percent, although a handful of recent data suggests the figure could be weaker.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "handful of data", ensure the context clearly indicates that the limited amount of data is significant to the discussion. For example, explain why a small data set poses a challenge or is sufficient for initial insights.

Common error

Avoid using "handful of data" to imply that the data is insignificant or unimportant simply because it is small. Instead, clarify the specific impact or limitation associated with the data's quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of data" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a small quantity of data. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "handful of data" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a small quantity of data. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. While appropriate in various contexts, including news, science, and business, it's most prevalent in news and scientific articles. It's important to consider the impact of this limited quantity on any analysis or conclusions. When writing, ensure you're not implying insignificance due to the small amount, and more precise terms may be appropriate in certain situations, as seen in similar examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited amount of data

Replaces "handful" with "limited amount", focusing on the restriction in quantity.

small set of data

Uses "small set" instead of "handful" to describe a restricted collection of data.

limited data points

Specifically refers to data points, emphasizing the limited number of individual data entries.

restricted data set

Highlights the limited and controlled nature of the data set.

scant data

Emphasizes the inadequacy or insufficiency of the data available.

meager data

Similar to 'scant data', it conveys a sense of deficiency in the amount of data.

few data points

Directly indicates a small quantity of data entries.

sparse data

Implies that the data is thinly distributed or not densely populated.

modicum of data

Suggests a very small or moderate quantity of data.

smattering of data

Indicates a superficial or scattered amount of data.

FAQs

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

You can use "handful of data" when referring to a small, manageable amount of information. For example, "Based on the "handful of data" we collected, we were able to identify a trend."

What are some alternatives to "handful of data"?

You can use alternatives like "limited amount of data", "small set of data", or "few data points" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "handful of data" is appropriate, but consider the context. In highly formal or scientific writing, more precise terms like "limited dataset" or "small sample size" may be preferred.

What does "handful of data" imply about the data?

"Handful of data" suggests that the quantity of data is small. It doesn't necessarily imply that the data is unimportant, but rather that it is limited. Consider the context to determine if this limitation affects the analysis or conclusions.