handful of problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'handful of problems' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small number of issues or difficulties. For example, "His life was going well until he ran into a handful of problems that put him off track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A handful of problems recur, killing off the best experiments:.

The Economist

The Nets have had a handful of problems this season.

The New York Times - Sports

When the time came, only a handful of problems surfaced, most of them minor.

Harvard Business Review

Note that there are a handful of problems on material (usually from 10.5 and 10.6) that is not on the syllabus for this year's exam.

Harvard University

Even though they underwent a huge shake-up last month, the Montreal Canadiens are still a team with more than a handful of problems.

The New York Times - Sports

Those who were injured in earlier wars typically received compensation for at most a handful of problems; today's veterans often report ten or more issues each.Many afflicted veterans feel isolated.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

If these and other problems can be satisfactorily resolved, the administration's latest proposals can expand ways of dealing with the handful of problem countries that refuse to abide by major international arms control treaties.

The New York Times

[Former chief executive Philip] Clarke used to talk of a handful of problem Extras and Lewis has said that two thirds of the [247-strong] Extra estate is high quality".

The Guardian - Business

After reviewing the evidence available by 2004, the IOM concluded there are moderately strong or at least limited links between damp indoor spaces and a handful of health problems, such as asthma, cough, wheeze, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and a range of other upper and lower respiratory problems.

Environmental Health Perspectives

What Wissner-Gross has supplied is, at best, a set of mathematical tools, with no real results beyond a handful of toy problems.

The New Yorker

Even before you really get into the experience, however, there are a handful of technical problems, which now seems standard for a connected game in the early stages of its release.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to downplay the severity of a situation, consider using "handful of problems" instead of phrases suggesting a large number of issues.

Common error

While "handful of problems" is widely understood, overuse in formal documents can sound unprofessional. In such contexts, consider more precise language like "a limited number of challenges" or "several key issues".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of problems" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig's AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "handful of problems" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a limited number of issues. Ludwig's AI validates its correct usage in diverse contexts, ranging from news reports and academic papers to more informal settings. While versatile, consider opting for more precise language in highly formal documents. Related alternatives include "small number of issues" or "few difficulties", but remember that they can change the tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small number of issues

Replaces "handful" with "small number", focusing on quantity and "problems" with "issues", softening the tone.

few difficulties

Substitutes "handful" with "few" and "problems" with "difficulties", making the phrase more general.

minor setbacks

Replaces "handful of problems" with "minor setbacks", indicating temporary impediments.

limited challenges

Uses "limited" instead of "handful", and "challenges" instead of "problems", framing them as opportunities.

modest concerns

Replaces "handful" with "modest" and "problems" with "concerns", softening the impact of the issues.

scattering of difficulties

Uses "scattering" to describe distribution instead of a specific number. "Difficulties" replaces "problems".

sprinkling of issues

Employs "sprinkling" to minimize the significance of the issues, and substitutes "problems" with "issues".

smattering of troubles

Replaces "handful" with "smattering" and "problems" with "troubles", suggesting a light and dispersed set of problems.

trifling concerns

Substitutes "handful of problems" with "trifling concerns", implying the issues are insignificant.

isolated incidents

Replaces "handful of problems" with "isolated incidents", portraying the issues as unconnected and rare.

FAQs

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

You can use "handful of problems" to indicate a small number of issues or difficulties, such as, "Despite the initial success, the project faced a "handful of problems" during the implementation phase".

What are some alternatives to "handful of problems"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "small number of issues", "few difficulties", or "minor setbacks".

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

While acceptable, "handful of problems" may sound less professional in formal writing. Alternatives like "limited challenges" or "several key issues" might be more suitable.

What does "handful of problems" imply about the severity of the situation?

"Handful of problems" suggests that the issues are limited in number and, by implication, manageable. It's less severe than phrases like "series of problems" or "host of problems".