handful of documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful of documents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of documents, typically implying that the quantity is manageable or limited. Example: "I only received a handful of documents for the meeting, so we may need to gather more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

When he handed a handful of documents relating to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding processes to Lauber's office last December, Blatter could scarcely have imagined he would end up here – cast from his own kingdom and fast running out of options.

The Guardian - Sport

She clutches a handful of documents, eyeing them repeatedly between questions.

The Guardian

Caesar's complexion changed, he began to shake, and he dropped a handful of documents on hearing the great orator.

The Guardian

DE: Here is something that could not have been seen from just one document or a handful of documents.

The Washington Post

The Wikileaks press release mentions the Yemeni Cyber Army, a hacker group that successfully breached Saudi Foreign Ministry networks in May and released a handful of documents that they obtained.

Independent

The president's announcement followed days of negotiations in which American and Chinese officials met in board rooms near the White House to work line-by-line through a handful of documents covering intellectual property, services and subsidies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

However, records show only a handful of documented cases of in-person voter fraud prosecuted in the state over the last decade, out of 30 million ballots cast.

The Guardian

The changes, which critics charge amount to voter suppression, stem from a belief among some conservative groups that voter fraud is a growing problem, although only a handful of documented cases have been recently found.

The New York Times

Though rarely encountered because of its oceanic habitat, a handful of documented attacks on humans were apparently caused by cookiecutter sharks.

Wikipedia

As they made their way to a border check, many discarded handfuls of documents that were useless, or perhaps a liability, now that they'd arrived at their final stop.

The Washington Post

Users of HumanSaga, rather than seeking a handful of relevant documents, instead create meaningful groupings of related documents -- timelines of events.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "handful of documents" to convey a limited quantity of paperwork or files, especially when emphasizing the manageable or insufficient nature of the amount.

Common error

Avoid using "handful of documents" when referring to a substantial amount of paperwork. It's best reserved for situations where the quantity is genuinely small and noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of documents" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a verb by acting as its object or as a complement. It specifies the quantity of documents involved in a particular action or situation, as seen in the Ludwig examples where someone "handed a handful of documents" or "clutches a handful of documents".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "handful of documents" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a small number of papers or files. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While more formal alternatives exist, "handful of documents" strikes a balance between informality and precision, making it a versatile choice for describing manageable quantities of documents. When writing, make sure the quantity is indeed few and that the context is well expressed. Be aware of some alternatives like "small number of documents".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small number of documents

More formal and neutral, focusing on the limited quantity.

few documents

A simpler and more direct way of expressing a limited quantity.

limited number of documents

Emphasizes the restriction on the quantity of documents.

selection of documents

Suggests a carefully chosen subset, rather than simply a small amount.

collection of documents

Implies a set or group, possibly organized in some way.

several documents

Indicates more than a few, but still a relatively small amount.

a smattering of documents

Suggests a diverse and seemingly random assortment.

a trace of documents

Suggests the presence of few documents in comparison to what could be expected.

sprinkling of documents

Highlights the limitedness of the number of documents.

cluster of documents

Conveys that documents are gathered together.

FAQs

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

You can use "handful of documents" to describe a small quantity of papers or files. For example, "The lawyer reviewed a handful of documents before the meeting."

What can I say instead of "handful of documents"?

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

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

While "handful of documents" is generally acceptable, using more formal alternatives like "small number of documents" may be more suitable for highly formal contexts such as academic papers or legal documents.

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

"Handful of documents" implies a smaller, more manageable quantity, while "bunch of documents" may suggest a slightly larger, possibly disorganized collection. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.