in few cases

USAGE SUMMARY

"in few cases" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something only happens or is true in a small number of situations or instances. Example: In few cases, the medication has been found to cause side effects.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Usually the experiments end before significant embryonic development takes place; in few cases have any live animals been born.

The New York Times

Segregation was therefore justified under the doctrine "separate but equal," but in few cases were segregated facilities actually equal.

The New York Times

In few cases does anyone know.

Forest Ecosystems

In few cases, the variation is large.

Journal of Analytical Science and Technology

Stubs for aspects are needed in few cases.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Only in few cases hollow members, usually adopted as tall piers, suffer shear failures.

Construction and Building Materials

In few cases PSD could even be used to predict bacterial contamination of karst springs.

Journal of Hydrology

In few cases, adjustments were made due to mistakes in the interpretation or incomplete information.

Triple Helix

For this reason, in few cases malware could also be assigned to a different category.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

In few cases (n = 8), intracranial pressure was monitored despite the risk of bleeding.

Annals of Intensive Care

However, in few cases, reverse ion exchange occur where Ca is replacing the Na (natural softening).

Applied Water Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in few cases", ensure the context clearly defines what those 'few cases' are. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "in few cases" without providing any indication of what constitutes these exceptions. Vague usage reduces the phrase's effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in few cases" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the infrequency or limited occurrence of an action or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a common and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in few cases" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something occurs rarely or only under specific, limited circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in scientific and news publications. When using "in few cases", be sure to provide enough context to clarify the exceptions you are referencing. Alternatives like "rarely" or "on rare occasions" can be used to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in limited circumstances

This alternative is similar to the original but emphasizes the restrictions on the conditions.

in a small number of instances

This alternative is more descriptive, explicitly mentioning a limited quantity of instances.

on rare occasions

This phrase emphasizes the infrequency by specifying that something happens only on 'rare occasions'.

in isolated situations

This alternative highlights that the occurrences are separate and not widespread.

in select instances

This alternative indicates that only specific, chosen instances are considered.

rarely

This alternative uses an adverb to convey the infrequency of an event, simplifying the original phrase.

infrequently

This adverb directly expresses the low frequency of an event.

seldom

This alternative uses an adverb denoting infrequency, similar to 'rarely' but with a slightly more formal tone.

in exceptional circumstances

This phrase focuses on the unique and uncommon conditions under which something might happen.

not often

A simple and direct way to express that something does not happen frequently.

FAQs

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

You can use "in few cases" to indicate exceptions or infrequent occurrences. For example, "In few cases, the medication has been found to cause side effects."

What are some alternatives to "in few cases"?

Alternatives include "rarely", "seldom", or "on rare occasions" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "in few cases" or "rarely"?

The choice depends on the context. "In few cases" is often used to introduce a specific exception, while "rarely" is a general indicator of infrequency.

What is the difference between "in few cases" and "in some cases"?

"In few cases" suggests a smaller number of instances than "in some cases". The former emphasizes rarity, while the latter simply indicates that something occurs occasionally but without a strong implication of infrequency.