just few

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase 'just few' is not a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
The correct phrasing would be 'just a few'. For example: I only have just a few items in my shopping cart.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was picked fresh just few minutes ago".

The New York Times

The detection accuracy can reach 93.5% after the classifier is adjusted in just few rounds.

Journal of Network and Computer Applications

The design of experiment methodology is then suitable for studying processes with several input factors by performing just few experiments.

International Journal of Mineral Processing

A test site with 3.5 × 108 pixels is regionalized in just few minutes using a standard desktop computer.

Procedia Computer Science

Which means that the latency of long latency operations can be tolerated from many cycles to just few cycles.

Journal of Systems Architecture

E-learning and the use of Smartphone applications are just few examples of such technologies.

Cornell University

You can derive a lot of theories from a just few simple axioms.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If not just few people know it and majority could not understand what UN is doing.

Yale University

We started early and finished the project just few days before the demonstration date.

Cornell University

He carried just few precincts near O'Hare Airport, and then only barely.

The New York Times

"Now we're giving him $480m cash for a just few thousand acres?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "just a few" instead of "just few" in formal writing to maintain grammatical correctness. While "just few" appears in various sources, it's generally considered incorrect.

Common error

The most common error is omitting the article 'a' before "few". Always include 'a' (i.e., "just a few") to ensure your writing adheres to standard English grammar. For example, instead of writing "I have just few friends", write "I have "just a few" friends."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just few" functions as a quantifier, attempting to specify a small quantity or number. However, it is grammatically incorrect as it omits the necessary article 'a'. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the expression "just few" appears frequently across diverse sources, including scientific articles, news reports, and academic papers, it's important to note that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""just a few"". Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, flagging the original phrase as grammatically incorrect. Though widely used, especially in the contexts of science, news, and academia, adhering to correct grammar is crucial for clear and professional communication. Always remember to include the article 'a' to ensure accuracy and avoid potential misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only a few

Uses the correct article 'a' to ensure grammatical accuracy.

very few

Simple way to express a negative quantity without grammatical errors.

just a handful

Emphasizes a very small quantity, suggesting the amount can be held in one hand.

just a small number of

A more elaborate and formal way of saying “just a few”.

merely a couple

Indicates exactly two, or a very small number close to two.

not many

A more colloquial way to express a limited quantity.

a small number

More formal and general way to indicate a limited quantity.

only some

Indicates a portion, but not all, of a larger group.

hardly any

Emphasizes the scarcity or near absence of something.

a limited amount

Focuses on the restriction of the quantity available.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "just few"?

The grammatically correct way to say "just few" is ""just a few"". The article 'a' is essential for proper grammar.

Are "just a few" and "only a few" interchangeable?

Yes, ""just a few"" and "only a few" are often interchangeable. Both phrases indicate a small quantity, but "only a few" might emphasize limitation more strongly.

When should I use "just a few" instead of "few"?

Use ""just a few"" when you want to soften the statement or emphasize that the number is small and possibly adequate. "Few" can sometimes sound more negative or insufficient.

What are some alternatives to "just a few" in formal writing?

In more formal writing, consider using phrases like "a small number", "a limited amount", or "a handful of" depending on the context. These options often sound more polished.