handful of dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful of dates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small quantity of dates, typically in a context where you are discussing food or a selection of items. Example: "For the recipe, you will need a handful of dates to add natural sweetness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"We went on a handful of dates, and just lost touch," Ms. Namkung said.

The New York Times

A year in, I had agreed to only a handful of dates.

The New York Times

"Touring institutionalises you and it can make normal life feel mundane," says Vaccines singer Justin Young, recently returned from a handful of dates in the US.

The Guardian - Music

Blondie have more concerts scheduled in September and October, and will reportedly play at least a handful of dates next year.

The Guardian - Music

He is currently on tour in Australia, and is scheduled to perform in Sydney and Melbourne before a handful of dates in New Zealand.

The Guardian - Music

He washed a handful of dates, ate some and gave some to other workers from the neighborhood who had dropped by to break the daily fast.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

We've seen a handful of dating applications that cater to the straight community, and today brings the launch of Grindr (iTunes Link), one of the first iPhone applications geared towards gay and bisexual men.

TechCrunch

To help you land a date, we asked a handful of dating experts and coaches to weigh in with the most common mistakes they see divorcées making in their profiles.

Huffington Post

A day later I bought a domain name and responded to The Huffington Post's request to share my article and replied to the handful of date proposals I'd received.

Huffington Post

They're set to play The Great Escape and a handful of UK dates in May.

The Guardian

At a handful of London dates this month, as detailed at myspace.com/lanielanemusic.com/lanielanemusic

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "handful of dates" in culinary contexts, ensure the quantity is appropriate for the recipe. Dates vary in size and sweetness, so adjust accordingly.

Common error

Be mindful that "handful" is subjective. What one person considers a handful might be different for another. When precision is crucial (e.g., in recipes), specify the weight or exact number of dates instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of dates" functions as a noun phrase, where "handful" acts as a quantifier specifying an indefinite but small quantity of the noun "dates". As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "handful of dates" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that describes a small, indefinite quantity of dates. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with some presence in wikis. It serves a descriptive purpose and has a neutral register. While the phrase is acceptable, being mindful of context and audience will help writers to use "handful of dates" with precision and intentionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small number of dates

Replaces "handful" with a more formal quantifier.

few dates

Simplifies the phrase using a more common adjective.

small quantity of dates

Emphasizes the amount with a more descriptive noun.

just a few dates

Adds emphasis to the small number.

limited number of dates

Highlights the restriction on the number of dates.

a modest amount of dates

Emphasizes the moderate quantity.

a smattering of dates

Uses a more evocative term for a small, scattered amount.

a sprinkling of dates

Similar to 'smattering' but implies an even smaller amount.

a couple of dates

Specifies an even smaller quantity.

a sparse number of dates

Highlights the scarcity of the dates.

FAQs

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

You can use "handful of dates" to describe a small quantity of dates, like in the sentence, "I had a "handful of dates" as a quick snack".

What's a more formal alternative to "handful of dates"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "small number of dates" or "small quantity of dates" instead of a "handful of dates".

Is it better to specify the exact number of dates instead of using "handful"?

In contexts where precision is important, like in baking or scientific studies, specifying the exact number of dates is preferred over using the less precise "handful".

When is it appropriate to use "handful of dates"?

It's appropriate to use "handful of dates" in informal contexts or when the exact number of dates is not crucial, such as when describing a general amount in a recipe or a casual snack.