limited few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "limited few" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a small number or a restricted amount of something. Example: The limited few who were chosen for the exclusive VIP event were ecstatic to receive their invitations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The possibilities for this generation of readers are limited: few people are going to install a hack like this, and even if they did, not much content is really designed to be consumed this way.

TechCrunch

Tim Kevan, the author of the Times' enormously popular legal blog--BabyBarista--recently announced he was leaving his Murdoch home (where he's gotten two book deals from his blog) and setting up his own site because he doesn't want to be in the "exclusive preserve of a limited few subscribers".

Huffington Post

However, the scientific evidence available is still limited, few studies having been conducted and participants in these studies not being representative of all cancer patients.

BMC Cancer

Additionally, available data were limited; few patients had serial virologic or therapeutic drug monitoring, and not all relevant clinical data were collected.

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Data on the natural history of HPV antibody response is limited; few studies report longitudinal measurements of both DNA and antibodies.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Data on longer term adverse events are very limited, few children under 5 years of age have been studied and follow-up times in the summarised studies was short.

Archives of Disease in Childhood

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Perhaps most important for core players, the ability to control and interact with the game itself would be limited: fewer buttons, triggers and control sticks.

The New York Times - Arts

As the total amount of funding is limited, fewer trials can be conducted and hence less clinical dilemmas can be solved.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Most of them come from few research groups, and the data are thus limited to few geographical areas.

Disease Markers

That was supposed to be limited to few hundred individuals.

The New Yorker

The market for these was limited, so few Imax-dedicated theatres came to be built.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "limited few", ensure the context clearly establishes what the limitation is. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity. For instance, "limited few opportunities" clarifies that opportunities, not people, are scarce.

Common error

Avoid using "limited few" when a larger number is implied. For example, don't say "a limited few students attended" if the attendance was actually substantial. Use it only when the quantity is genuinely small or restricted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "limited few" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (often implied or directly stated) to indicate a small, restricted quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples show it describing amounts, opportunities, or individuals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "limited few" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a small quantity that is restricted or constrained in some way. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the real-world examples showcase its use across diverse domains like news, science, and business. To use the phrase effectively, ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the limitation. While versatile, "limited few" is best suited for neutral registers, and alternative phrases like "restricted few" or "select few" may be more appropriate in specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restricted few

Focuses on the restriction or constraint applied to the number.

very few

Adds emphasis to the scarcity of the number.

select few

Emphasizes the chosen or exclusive nature of the group.

certain few

Indicates a specific, though small, group of individuals.

small number

Uses a more direct and literal description of quantity.

exclusive group

Stresses the exclusivity and privilege associated with the group.

tiny minority

Highlights the proportionally small representation of the group.

handful of individuals

Provides a more descriptive and visual representation of the quantity.

rare exceptions

Emphasizes the infrequency or unusual nature of the cases.

scarce quantity

Highlights the lack of abundance.

FAQs

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

You can use "limited few" to describe a small number of something, such as "The opportunities were limited to a few experienced candidates" or "Only a limited few tickets are available for the concert".

What can I say instead of "limited few"?

You can use alternatives like "restricted few", "select few", or "very few" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "limited number" or "limited few"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "limited few" is generally used when referring to a small number of people or countable items, while "limited number" is broader and can refer to quantities or abstract concepts.

What is the difference between "limited few" and "a few"?

"A few" simply indicates a small number, while "limited few" emphasizes that the number is small due to some constraint or restriction. The phrase "a few" does not carry this additional connotation of restriction.