however few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "however few" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to introduce a contrast to a previously stated idea. For example: The majority of students enjoyed the party; however few did not feel like celebrating.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

However, few escape unscathed.

The New York Times

In practice, however, few do.

The New York Times - Tech

There are, however, few modern manufacturing industries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, few take advantage of this opportunity.

The New York Times

However, few of these benefits materialize.

The New York Times

However, few expect decisive action this week.

The Guardian - Business

However, few organisations are in this place.

The Guardian

However, few employers deviate from industry standards.

The New York Times

However, few expect this year's conference to produce similar results.

The Guardian - Business

Now, however, few Americans seem to be interested.

The New York Times

However, few of these are yet widely in operation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "however few", ensure the contrast is clear and adds meaningful nuance to the sentence. It's effective when highlighting exceptions or limitations to a general statement.

Common error

Avoid using "however few" when there isn't a genuine contrast. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnatural. Ensure there's a clear statement or implication that the 'few' are in opposition to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however few" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a contrasting element. It modifies the following clause by emphasizing the limited quantity or number despite a previous statement or implication. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which indicates it serves to introduce a contrast.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however few" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that introduces a contrasting point, emphasizing a small number or quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its function as an introductory contrast. Its applications span across various domains, including science, news, and formal business contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear contrast is established to effectively convey the intended meaning. Consider alternatives like "while not many" or "with only a few" for varied expression. Remember, the key is to ensure that the 'few' are in opposition to an implicit or explicit expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however small the number

Rephrases the original structure to emphasize the size of the quantity, retaining the contrastive "however".

with only a few

Directly indicates the limited number, using "with only" to specify the quantity.

while not many

Expresses a contrast by directly stating the lack of a large quantity, using "while" to connect opposing ideas.

though a handful

Indicates a very small number, using "though" to signal a concession or contrast.

yet a small number

Emphasizes the contrast with a focus on the limited quantity, using "yet" for opposition.

nonetheless a minority

Emphasizes the limited proportion, using "nonetheless" to introduce a contrasting fact.

despite a scarcity

Highlights the limited availability or presence, using "despite" to introduce the contrast.

in spite of rarity

Highlights the infrequent occurrence and uses "in spite of" to show contrast.

even if limited

Focuses on the constrained quantity, using "even if" to introduce a condition or limitation.

scarce though they are

Emphasizes the rarity with an inverted structure, using "scarce" at the beginning for emphasis and "though" for contrast.

FAQs

How can I use "however few" in a sentence?

Use "however few" to introduce a contrasting point emphasizing a small number or quantity. For example, "Many tried, "however few" succeeded" highlights that despite many attempts, only a small number were successful.

What alternatives can I use instead of "however few"?

You can use alternatives such as "while not many", "with only a few", or "though a handful" to express a similar contrast involving a limited number.

Is it grammatically correct to use "however few"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "however few" is used to introduce a contrast while specifying a limited quantity or number. It's often used to set up an exception or limitation to a broader statement.

What is the difference between "however few" and "nevertheless few"?

"However few" emphasizes a contrast by specifying a small number or amount, while "nevertheless few" /s/nonetheless+few introduces a statement that contrasts with what was previously said, despite the small number. "However few" directly relates to quantity, whereas "nevertheless few" emphasizes a continuing action or state, regardless of the quantity.