handful of information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful of information" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of information that is not comprehensive or extensive. Example: "After the meeting, I left with only a handful of information about the project’s progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Traditionally, a company's technology purchasing decisions were made top-down, controlled by a handful of information technology experts.

The New York Times

The site touts a handful of information on the player as well as specs on some of the artists included on the players.

TechCrunch

Currently, Semantic MEDLINE accommodates just a small handful of information needs, due to limitations in the Summarization stage.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

My contact with the lecturer went quiet, so I made a handful of freedom of information requests to the university, asking when the PhD would go back into the library and if there was any sort of plagiarism enquiry under way.

The Guardian

I vowed to gather information from a handful of well-informed aficionados near my home in the San Francisco Bay area and ignore the rest.

The New York Times - Tech

Specter's proposal would also require the administration to give a handful of lawmakers more information about the program than they now receive, such as the number of communications intercepted and a summary of the results.

The Washington Post

The professor notified the university's IT department, which then alerted the cops after discovering that at least four different students had their grades changed and a handful of teachers' login information had been compromised.

Vice

His legacy includes the Avatar Meher Baba Charitable Trust he established in India, a handful of centers for information and pilgrimage, as well as an influence on pop-culture artists and the introduction of common expressions such as "Don't Worry, Be Happy".

Wikipedia

In a handful of studies the information contained in Scopus was too vague to make a determination.

Health Research Policy and Systems

For example, the erosion of privacy may limit the autonomy of choice, algorithmic opacity may lead to unintended bias or discrimination, and the concentration of data on a handful of intermediaries may exacerbate information asymmetries.

Cornell University

While 35 million data records were likely breached last year, there are a handful of especially massive cases of information theft that have hurt consumers and ruined lives over the past decade.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "handful of information", consider whether a more precise quantifier (e.g. "small amount", "limited data") would provide greater clarity in your writing. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "handful of information" when a larger amount of data is actually available. Ensure your description accurately reflects the quantity and quality of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of information" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "information", indicating a limited quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, describing a small, non-comprehensive amount of data. Examples show it describing restricted knowledge or data availability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "handful of information" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a small or limited amount of data or knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic contexts. While grammatically sound, it's essential to consider whether a more precise quantifier might enhance clarity. Ludwig's analysis shows that being mindful of the context and avoiding overstatement will ensure effective communication when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small amount of information

Replaces "handful" with a more direct quantifier, maintaining the same meaning.

limited data

Emphasizes the restricted quantity of data available.

few details

Refers to the absence of too many details on the data

limited insights

Focuses on the scarcity of understanding or perspectives gained.

scant details

Highlights the lack of comprehensive or thorough details.

limited data set

Indicates that the dataset has a limited number of values

patchy knowledge

Indicates that the knowledge is incomplete and unevenly distributed.

fragmentary data

Emphasizes that the data is broken into pieces and not whole.

smattering of facts

Suggests a casual or superficial understanding based on a few facts.

briefing

Implies a concise overview, reducing the amount of information

FAQs

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

You can use "handful of information" to describe a situation where only a small amount of data is available. For example: "After the initial investigation, the police had only a handful of information to work with."

What's a good alternative to "handful of information"?

Alternatives include "small amount of information", "limited data", or "scant details", depending on the specific context.

Is "handful of information" a formal or informal expression?

"Handful of information" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.

How does "handful of information" differ from "wealth of information"?

"Handful of information" implies a small, limited amount of data, while "wealth of information" suggests a large, abundant supply. They are opposite in meaning.