handful of points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful of points" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of items or pieces of information, typically in a context where the quantity is not large. Example: "During the meeting, I presented a handful of points that highlighted our progress over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Having pulled off a brilliant win against leaders Yorkshire, Durham are now in the driving seat, just a handful of points behind and with a game in hand.

Independent

And all three are just a handful of points away from the top four.

The Guardian - Sport

Completing the list is Watford, where the three main parties are all within a handful of points.

The Guardian

She is ranked No. 2 in the world, just a handful of points behind another American, Claire Liu.

The New Yorker

In the state championship game, the other team guarded Miller, a potential N.B.A. draft pick, with one player, yet he managed only a handful of points by halftime.

The New York Times - Sports

Fulham and Bolton are only a handful of points above them, as are Birmingham, whose financial problems may be the most pressing of the lot.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Of the thousands of games played in the 1990's, there were only a handful of point-shaving scandals, all of which centered on illegal betting.

The New York Times

The majority of Seipin mutations cause C-terminal truncations, along with a handful of point mutations.

Bioscience Reports

With a handful of games left and two handfuls of points separating them from safety, Premier League survival seems beyond the Royals, especially considering their current form: played seven, lost seven.

The Guardian - Sport

Northamptonshire v Leicestershire: Leicestershire are mathematically still in with a shout of promotion if they win with full bonus points, but Glamorgan can deny them just by picking up a handful of bonus points.

The Guardian - Sport

Among a handful of other points of fact, McCartney confirmed that though Lennon was right-handed and McCartney played guitar the other way round, each could play the other's guitar.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "handful of points" to describe a small, often insignificant, numerical difference or quantity in a competition, election, or other scenario where points are relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "handful of points" when referring to non-numerical or abstract concepts. For example, it's inappropriate to say "a handful of points about life" when you mean "a few insights about life."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of points" functions as a quantifier phrase, specifying a small quantity of points. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It modifies a noun, indicating a limited amount in contexts like sports scores or election results.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "handful of points" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote a small quantity, primarily in News & Media and Science contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and acceptable in written English. While not extremely common, it serves to illustrate small quantitative differences in various competitive scenarios. Alternative phrases like "small number of points" or "few points" can be employed for variety, but the original phrase is direct and effective. When writing, be mindful of using "handful of points" strictly for scenarios relating to numerical points; ensure it is used where describing a small, often insignificant, numerical difference or quantity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small number of points

Replaces "handful" with "small number", maintaining the sense of a limited quantity.

few points

Uses "few" instead of "handful", a more concise way to express a small quantity.

small amount of points

Substitutes "handful" with "small amount", emphasizing the limited quantity of points.

limited number of points

Uses "limited number" to highlight the restricted quantity of points.

modest quantity of points

Replaces "handful" with "modest quantity", offering a slightly more formal tone.

negligible amount of points

Emphasizes the insignificance of the number of points.

scant few points

Combines "scant" and "few" to stress the scarcity of points.

mere points

Uses "mere" to downplay the importance or size of the number of points.

trifling points

Highlights the unimportance of the amount of points.

a sprinkling of points

Employs a more figurative term, conveying the small, scattered nature of the points.

FAQs

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

You can use "handful of points" to describe a small difference in scores or rankings, such as, "The teams were separated by only a handful of points at the end of the game."

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

Alternatives include "small number of points", "few points", or "small amount of points", depending on the context.

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

While "handful of points" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "limited number of points" or "modest quantity of points" might be preferred in academic or professional contexts.

What does "handful of points" mean?

The phrase "handful of points" indicates a small quantity or number of points, often suggesting the amount is not significant or is only slightly different.