indicates a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indicates a few" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that suggests or points out a small number of items or instances. Example: "The data collected from the survey indicates a few trends that we should consider in our analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But it indicates a few potential changes in the company's thinking.

The Guardian - Tech

I think this indicates a few realities.

TechCrunch

EDS measurement shows peaks of zinc and oxygen and indicates a few of impurities in prepared samples.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Both the bank and the McCain campaign have denied any wrongdoing, but a closer look at the situation indicates a few revealing points.

Huffington Post

However, the crude analysis obscures community level variation that indicates a few communities increasing uptake, while most remained stable (high or low) throughout the last decade.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He indicated a few inches.

The New Yorker

The preliminary feedback from field trials indicated a few more desirable features such as a higher battery life, better firmware and a faster processor.

The New York Times

Mr. Thompson's appearance at the event, a previously scheduled fund-raising dinner for the Virginia Republican Party, was his first since he and his supporters indicated a few days ago that he was preparing to enter the race.

The New York Times

Beyond that, as Mr. Netanyahu himself indicated a few minutes later, it would take more than the Palestinians' acceptance of the Jewish state for Israel to sign a peace agreement.

The New York Times

When opened, it asks you to link to your Facebook account so it can discover your friends, and as part of creating an account you indicate a few preferences about your app habits.

The New York Times - Tech

She still has mixed feelings, as she indicated a few weeks ago: "Sometimes I tear up just buying bananas from the street vendor near the corner, because I know I'll miss that experience.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indicates a few", ensure that the context provides some understanding of what those 'few' items are. Avoid vagueness by offering specifics shortly after using the phrase.

Common error

Avoid implying that 'a few' instances represent a widespread trend. "Indicates a few" suggests a limited number, so ensure your subsequent statements don't exaggerate the scope or impact of those instances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicates a few" functions as a qualifying expression. As seen in Ludwig, it's used to suggest that something points to or highlights a limited number of instances or possibilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indicates a few" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to suggest that something points to a limited number of instances or possibilities. According to Ludwig, its use spans across various contexts, including science and news media, with a neutral register. When employing this phrase, be specific about what those 'few' items are and avoid exaggerating their importance. Consider alternatives like "suggests a couple of" or "points to several" for different nuances. Always ensure clarity and avoid overstating the implications of the 'few' instances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggests a couple of

Replaces 'few' with 'couple', implying a slightly more specific quantity of two.

points to several

Replaces 'a few' with 'several', suggesting a slightly larger, but still limited, number.

highlights a handful of

Uses 'a handful of' to emphasize a small, manageable number of items.

reveals some

Offers a less specific alternative, implying the existence of some items without quantifying them.

shows a limited number of

More formal and explicit, emphasizing the restriction in quantity.

signals a small selection of

Highlights that the items are part of a larger set from which a small portion has been selected.

implies a minority of

Focuses on the items being a smaller portion in contrast to a larger whole.

denotes a scattering of

Emphasizes the dispersed or infrequent nature of the items.

intimates a smattering of

Suggests a very small, almost insignificant, quantity.

betrays the existence of some

Suggests that something reveals, often unintentionally, that some items are present.

FAQs

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

You can use "indicates a few" to suggest that something points out or highlights a small number of items or instances. For example: "The study indicates a few potential areas for improvement."

What's a more formal alternative to "indicates a few"?

For a more formal tone, you might use phrases like "shows a limited number of" or "highlights a handful of". These options provide a more sophisticated and precise way to convey the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "indicate a few" instead of "indicates a few"?

The correct usage depends on the subject. Use "indicate a few" with plural subjects (e.g., 'These results indicate a few possibilities'). Use "indicates a few" with singular subjects (e.g., 'This result indicates a few possibilities').

What can I say instead of "indicates a few" if I want to emphasize a very small number?

You could use "intimates a smattering of" to highlight that the number is very small and perhaps almost insignificant.