handful of issues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful of issues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of problems or concerns that need to be addressed. Example: "During the meeting, we discussed a handful of issues that were affecting the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

• Luhnow listed a handful of issues teams could emphasize, including injury prevention.

The New York Times - Sports

Graham feels a strong personal connection to a handful of issues.

The New York Times - Magazine

WHICH handful of issues should the association put its muscle behind?

The New York Times

However, it is totally ill-equipped to deal with a small handful of issues.

The Guardian

Its megacustomers want a central point of contact only for dealing with a handful of issues.

Harvard Business Review

The study of pulsars in the three and a half decades since their discovery has highlighted a handful of issues critical to their understanding.

Advances in Space Research

And recently fund manager Jeremy Grantham said: "Capitalism… is totally ill-equipped to deal with a small handful of issues.

The Guardian

In Egypt, the 100-member assembly drafting a constitution is bickering over a handful of issues, including women's rights, as it races to meet a Dec. 12 deadline.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The problem is, when you've identified yourself as a one-issue (or even handful-of-related-issues) voter, and the party doesn't nominate someone reliably on your side, what do you do?

Huffington Post

Yet on a handful of the issues (including the controversial social issues), the Washington Post poll can be described in a number of ways that can seem contradictory.

Huffington Post

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Mr. Bagley noted that the judge had not yet addressed a handful of central issues in the suit, nor had he issued a final ruling indicating whether the act should fall immediately.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "handful of issues" with specific examples or a brief categorization to help your audience quickly grasp the core concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "handful of issues" when referring to widespread or systemic problems. The phrase implies a limited number, so misapplication can diminish the perceived seriousness of broader concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of issues" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It identifies a limited quantity of problems or topics. This is supported by Ludwig examples where it's often followed by verbs indicating discussion, resolution, or concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "handful of issues" is a versatile phrase for indicating a small number of problems or topics. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is appropriate for diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to business discussions, but avoid using it when a broad number of problems are under consideration. Remember to clearly define what issues are under consideration in the context. By following these guidelines, you can ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few problems

Replaces "handful" with "few", offering a simpler and more direct way to indicate a small quantity.

small number of concerns

Substitutes "handful" with "small number" and "issues" with "concerns", providing a slightly more formal tone.

limited number of problems

Emphasizes the restriction in quantity, using more formal language than the original phrase.

select group of topics

Replaces "issues" with "topics" and highlights the chosen or specific nature of the items.

short list of items

Suggests a brief catalog or enumeration of the matters at hand.

manageable set of challenges

Focuses on the difficulties involved and implies that they are not overwhelming in number.

discrete number of items

Uses more formal language to describe a separate and countable quantity of subjects.

particular subset of questions

Highlights the specificity of the queries involved and presents them as part of a larger whole.

limited range of subjects

Emphasizes the constrained scope of the topics being considered.

restricted selection of matters

Indicates that the topics have been chosen from a larger pool and are not extensive.

FAQs

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

You can use "handful of issues" to describe a small number of problems or topics needing attention. For example, "The team addressed a handful of issues during the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "handful of issues"?

Alternatives include "few problems", "small number of concerns", or "limited number of problems", depending on the context.

Is "handful of issues" formal or informal?

"Handful of issues" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

How does "handful of issues" differ from "series of issues"?

"Handful of issues" implies a smaller, more manageable set of problems, while "series of issues" suggests a potentially larger and more interconnected group of concerns.