handful of statements

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful of statements" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of statements or remarks, often implying that they are significant or noteworthy. Example: "After reviewing the report, I found a handful of statements that clearly outlined the main issues we need to address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A handful of statements remain unambiguous, like the radio code "10-13" — fOfficericer needs assistance".

The New Yorker

Lots of smart people on stage over the course of three days, but a handful of statements stuck out for me in terms of market trends to continue to watch.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Relying on a handful of individuals' statements does not amount to showing a pattern or practice of intentional discrimination".

The New York Times

Microsoft's spokesman, Mark Murray, said the government was referring to "a handful of Microsoft statements talking about the need for clear lines of authority in an American business".

The New York Times

Trump campaigned with DeSantis only once during the primary, at a rally in Tampa in July, and sent out a handful of supportive statements on Twitter, including the message "VOTE FOR RON" in all capitals late Monday.

Huffington Post

Two years ago insurgent groups in Iraq released a handful of e-mail statements a week, usually claiming credit for attacks.

The New York Times - Books

"Going green used to be part of just a handful of organizations' mission statements, but now it's become part of everyone's agenda," said Ashley Katz, communications director for the Green Building Council.

The New York Times

Mr. Cipel returned to his hometown in Israel last week, where he has given a handful of interviews and released statements insisting that he is heterosexual, accusing the governor of forcing him into unspecified sexual encounters and contending that the administration sought to intimidate him into silence.

The New York Times

Peruse any discussion thread on YouTube, blogs, message boards and major news sites and you're bound to find a handful of personal attacks, racist statements, unwarranted insults and so on.

Huffington Post

"We're troubled by these claims but also question [Oxfam's] efforts to paint the whole industry with a broad brush based on a handful of anonymous claims," the statement said.

Vice

The commission initially said the issue only affected a "handful" of EU nationals but a statement later changed this to a "small number" and revealed it was still working out the scale of the problem.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "handful of statements", ensure the context clarifies the significance or impact of those few statements, rather than just their quantity. Highlight why those specific statements matter.

Common error

Avoid using "handful of statements" to describe trivial or unimportant remarks. This phrase implies significance, so reserve it for situations where the limited number of statements carries weight or consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of statements" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in indicating a small quantity of remarks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "handful of statements" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that refers to a small number of significant remarks or declarations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's typically employed to highlight the importance or impact of these few statements. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various communication contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context emphasizes the significance of the statements rather than merely their quantity. Alternatives like "small number of declarations" or "few remarks" can be used to achieve similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small number of declarations

Replaces "handful" with "small number", emphasizing the limited quantity of declarations.

few remarks

Uses "few" instead of "handful", simplifying the expression to indicate a small quantity of remarks.

limited set of assertions

Replaces both "handful" and "statements" with more formal terms, indicating a restricted group of assertions.

scattered comments

Highlights the dispersed nature of the comments, implying they are not numerous or concentrated.

isolated pronouncements

Emphasizes the singular and separate nature of the pronouncements, suggesting they are not part of a larger series.

several observations

Indicates that there are a few observations, more than just a couple but not many.

select claims

Focuses on the choiceness or specific nature of the claims made, suggesting they were carefully chosen or stand out.

restricted amount of declarations

Emphasizes the limited quantity of declarations, using a more descriptive and formal tone.

sparse pronouncements

Indicates the pronouncements are not frequent or plentiful, suggesting a scarcity.

token utterances

Suggests the utterances are symbolic or representative, implying they are minimal but meaningful.

FAQs

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

You can use "handful of statements" to refer to a small number of significant remarks or declarations. For example: "After the investigation, a handful of statements revealed the core issues."

What are some alternatives to "handful of statements"?

Alternatives include "small number of declarations", "few remarks", or "limited set of assertions", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "handful of statements" formal or informal?

"Handful of statements" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or highly professional settings.

When is it appropriate to use "handful of statements"?

It's appropriate to use "handful of statements" when you want to emphasize that only a small number of remarks or declarations are relevant or significant in a given context. It implies that these few statements carry particular importance.