in a few cases

USAGE SUMMARY

"in a few cases" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to situations that are not typical, but have arisen in some unusual way. For example, "In a few cases, students are allowed to take the final exam before completing all their coursework."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a few cases, prosecutors have brought charges.

Huffington Post

It might in a few cases.

The New Yorker

In a few cases they do not.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a few cases, that goal was taken literally.

The Washington Post

But in a few cases, their testiness came through.

The New York Times

In a few cases the theme feels artificially attached.

The Guardian - Books

In a few cases, the answer may be yes.

The New York Times - Health

And in a few cases distinguished by impressive aesthetic achievement.

The New York Times

In a few cases, shapes and words appear related.

The New York Times - Books

And in a few cases, they were probably right.

Harvard Business Review

In a few cases caudillos contributed to political order.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a few cases" to introduce exceptions or less common occurrences to a general statement. This helps to provide a balanced and nuanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "in a few cases". This can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use different transitional phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a few cases" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the limited extent to which a statement is true. It introduces exceptions or instances where a general rule does not apply. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a few cases" serves as an important tool for adding precision and accuracy to your writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. It is particularly useful for introducing exceptions to general statements, preventing oversimplification, and offering a balanced perspective. While very common across various contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias, it's important to avoid overuse and vary sentence structure to maintain clarity. Employing alternatives like "in some instances" or "occasionally" can enhance your writing style. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "in a few cases" to enrich your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in some instances

Replaces "cases" with "instances", emphasizing individual occurrences.

on occasion

More concise, suggesting something happens sometimes but not regularly.

in certain situations

Highlights the specific circumstances where something might occur.

under certain circumstances

Similar to "in certain situations", but emphasizes the conditions involved.

occasionally

A single-word adverb meaning "sometimes" or "now and then".

in a minority of situations

Emphasizes that the occurrence is less frequent or common.

in rare instances

Highlights the infrequency of the occurrence.

from time to time

Indicates that something happens periodically but not often.

now and then

Similar to "from time to time", suggesting irregular occurrence.

in exceptional circumstances

Implies that the situations are unusual and not typical.

FAQs

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

Use "in a few cases" to introduce exceptions or specific instances where a general rule doesn't apply. For example, "Most students pass the exam, but "in a few cases", students may need extra help".

What are some alternatives to "in a few cases"?

You can use alternatives like "in some instances", "occasionally", or "in certain situations" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "in a few cases" or "in some cases"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and mean essentially the same thing. "In a few cases" may imply a slightly smaller number than "in some cases", but the difference is minimal.

What is the difference between "in a few cases" and "in most cases"?

"In most cases" indicates that something is generally true or common, whereas ""in a few cases"" indicates that something is an exception or less common.