handful of wolves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "handful of wolves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small group of wolves, often implying a sense of rarity or uniqueness. Example: "As we hiked through the forest, we were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a handful of wolves playing near the river."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Despite the protestations of conservation groups, the government has also organized the shootings — "samplings," in official parlance — of a handful of wolves.

The New York Times

A handful of wolves were captured in Mexico in the late 1970s to save the animal from extinction.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In Part I of this series published in December, 2015 immediately following the San Bernardino killing of 14 people by an ISIS-inspired husband and wife team, I made the obvious point that the slaughter was merely the first act of domestic terrorism against civilians on American soil by less than a handful of "lone wolves".

Huffington Post

The kingdom, which has suffered a handful of lone-wolf attacks inspired by IS, is deeply concerned about the caliphate.

The Economist

Since his death, he has "inspired" a handful of lone-wolf attackers, including Fort Hood gunman Nidal Hassan, a U.S. Army major who murdered 13 people, and Christmas Day bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who tried to bring down a Detroit-bound jetliner with an underwear bomb.

Vice

"You cannot simply throw a handful of students to the wolves," said one parent, whose child was expelled.

Los Angeles Times

With the number of wolves reduced to little more than a handful, they face the prospect of extinction.

The New York Times

In the modern world with 7 billion humans and handfuls of rhinos, tigers, wolves, gorillas, and others species near oblivion, the assumption we have the right and ability to "manage nature" is absurd.

Huffington Post

At the end of 2011, there were more than 1,700 wolves in the region, including a handful of breeding pairs in Oregon and Washington and a lone male wolf on a journey through parts of northern California.

Huffington Post

A pack of wolves.

The New York Times

A handful of objects have already been collected: a cuddly wolf from Ikea (see more below), Christian Louboutin shoes in five shades of "nude" and Cody Wilson's 3D-printed handgun.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "handful of wolves", consider the context. It's best suited for situations where the small number is significant, such as conservation efforts or unique sightings.

Common error

Avoid using "handful of wolves" in formal scientific papers or reports. Opt for more precise quantifiers like "small population" or "limited number" to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of wolves" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a small, limited number of wolves, emphasizing their scarcity or importance, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "handful of wolves" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe a small group of wolves. Ludwig highlights its use in contexts like conservation and news reporting, indicating its neutral register. While it is relatively rare, it effectively conveys the idea of a limited number, as confirmed by Ludwig. For more formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "small pack of wolves" or "few wolves".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small pack of wolves

Replaces "handful" with a more specific term for a wolf group size.

few wolves

Uses a simpler quantifier to indicate a small number of wolves.

a small number of wolves

A more formal way to express a limited quantity of wolves.

a couple of wolves

Indicates a very small number, specifically two.

a scattering of wolves

Suggests a sparse distribution of wolves in an area.

a remnant of wolves

Implies the wolves are a surviving group from a larger population.

a trace of wolves

Emphasizes the rarity or minimal presence of wolves.

several wolves

Indicates more than a few but not many wolves.

a select group of wolves

Highlights the wolves as being specifically chosen or special.

a minority of wolves

Emphasizes the limited presence of wolves in a wider context.

FAQs

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

"Handful of wolves" can be used to describe a small group of wolves, for example, "A "handful of wolves" were captured to save the animal from extinction."

What are some alternatives to "handful of wolves"?

Alternatives include "small pack of wolves", "few wolves", or "a small number of wolves". Consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate alternative.

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

"Handful of wolves" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for news articles and general discussions. In more formal or scientific writing, more precise terms might be preferred.

What does "handful of wolves" imply about the population size?

The phrase implies that the wolf population is small and possibly vulnerable, making each individual or group significant.