handful of emails

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful of emails" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of emails, typically implying that it is manageable or not overwhelming. Example: "I only received a handful of emails today, so I was able to respond to them quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

After September 11 we got a handful of emails from Radio 1 listeners saying "I'm listening for the first time because I want to understand this",' Boaden says with obvious pride.

The Guardian

(Oct . 26 'The Fall,' Season 3 At Watching, we've received a handful of emails every month for the past half-year asking, "When is the new season of 'The Fall' going to hit Netflix?" For those of you who are that invested in this British serial killer drama starring Gillian Anderson, now you know.

The New York Times - Arts

A handful of emails were sent to bobama over the period covered by the hacked emails, but he only replied once, as a follow-up to a staffing question from Podesta.

TechCrunch

But I'd argue that it's the productivity users who are more interested in email management apps – consumers who only get a handful of emails per day (or week!) are probably not dying for a solution.

TechCrunch

When I asked you for the best one-sentence pitch you could come up with for your startup, I was expecting 20, perhaps 30 comments and a handful of emails.

TechCrunch

I received more than a handful of emails with the subject line; "I want my money back".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

While a handful of email addresses and phones are standard issue for people in such elevated positions, the private ones are not supposed to be attached to official outlets like the @POTUS account.

TechCrunch

Moreover, Mr. Comey's statement suggests that except for a handful of email chains, none implicated even innocent disclosure.

Huffington Post

The message then includes a sample of cherry-picked quotes selected from a small handful of the emails focusing on apparent disagreements between the scientists, the workings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and attempts to block climate sceptics from securing documents from the scientists via freedom of information requests.

The Guardian

After a handful of ironic emails about the light-sensitive responsiveness of Volvo headlights, the final message lampoons my little experiment, attaching an image of a dog dressed up as a scientist in a mock laboratory, captioned: "I have no idea what I'm doing".

The Guardian - Tech

Of course, with a user base in the tens of millions, a good handful of happy emails should be expected.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "handful of emails" to convey a manageable number, suggesting the task of reading and responding isn't overwhelming. For instance, "I only have a "handful of emails" to answer this morning."

Common error

Avoid using "handful of emails" when referring to a substantial number of messages. The term suggests a small, easily managed quantity, so using it for a large inbox would be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of emails" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun. It indicates a small quantity of emails, typically implying that it is manageable or not overwhelming. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "handful of emails" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a small, manageable number of email messages. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable. It’s most frequently found in news and media contexts and conveys a sense of ease in handling the correspondence. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to avoid using it when referring to a large volume of emails, as it can be misleading. Alternatives like "small number of emails" or "few emails" can be used for greater precision or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Small number of emails

Replaces "handful" with a more literal and less idiomatic term.

Few emails

A more concise and common alternative.

A couple of emails

Implies an even smaller quantity than "handful".

Limited number of emails

More formal, emphasizes restriction in quantity.

A scattering of emails

Suggests the emails were received sporadically.

A smattering of emails

Similar to "scattering", but can also imply variety in content.

A trickle of emails

Implies a very slow and minimal flow of emails.

A sparse number of emails

Highlights the infrequency and low volume of emails.

A modicum of emails

More formal and less common way to describe a small amount.

A sprinkling of emails

Suggests a very light and scattered distribution of emails.

FAQs

What does "handful of emails" mean?

The phrase "handful of emails" refers to a small, easily manageable number of email messages. It suggests that the quantity is not overwhelming or burdensome.

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

You can use alternatives like "small number of emails", "few emails", or "couple of emails" depending on the specific quantity and context.

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

While generally acceptable, "handful of emails" is more suited for neutral or informal contexts. In highly formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "limited number of emails" or "small quantity of emails".

How do I use "handful of emails" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "I received a "handful of emails" this morning, so I was able to respond to them quickly." It indicates a small, manageable amount.