minus a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minus a few" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost complete or whole, with a small number of exceptions or omissions. Example: "The project is nearly finished, minus a few final touches that need to be added."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The whole block did, plus a few paint jobs and minus a few bars on the windows.

The Washington Post

A mandolin, guitar, and other electric instruments tend to output a voltage on the order of plus and minus a few hundred millivolts.

Cornell University

Minus a few trips to drive-ins, the last double feature I'd seen had been a bill of "Grizzly" and "The Legend of Hell House," way uptown.

The New Yorker

When I depart, seven days later it's minus a few food items after they've gone missing from the fridge – immediately bringing back memories of my backpacking days.

The Guardian

Excluding some costs, profit will be 3 cents a share "plus or minus a few cents," the company said in a statement.

The New York Times

Workers get paid higher than the national minimum wage; stores are closed on Sundays, to encourage employees to spend time with their families; and company-subsidized health care is — minus a few forms of contraception — affordable and robust.

The New Yorker

The company said fourth-quarter net income would be break-even on a per-share basis "plus or minus a few cents," with sales falling 10percentt from the period that ended in September.

The New York Times

Minus a few scratches on the shiny metal, the iPhone wasn't affected in anyway.

TechCrunch

A 1 or 2 °C temperature change is within the error range for the current temperature assignments, which is on the order of plus or minus a few °C.

Geochemical Transactions

Minus a few points for the weird coming-in-the-window-via-a-ladder thing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When a colleague showed off his iPad mini a few months ago, I petted and cooed like everyone else.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minus a few" to indicate a small, almost negligible reduction or exception. It adds a touch of informality while remaining clear.

Common error

Avoid using "minus a few" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language, such as "excluding several" or "with a small number of exceptions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minus a few" functions as a modifier, indicating a slight reduction or exception. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically sound. Examples show its use in various contexts to denote a quantity that is nearly complete, with a small number lacking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "minus a few" is a versatile modifier used to indicate a small reduction or exception. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. While its informality makes it less suitable for strict academic or scientific writing, its clear and concise nature makes it appropriate for general communication. When aiming for precision, consider alternatives like "except for a handful" or "with a small number of exceptions". Remember, effective communication lies in choosing the right phrase for the right context, and "minus a few" is a handy tool for many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

except for a handful

Emphasizes the small quantity of exceptions.

not counting a handful

Similar to "except for a handful" but with a slightly different emphasis.

less a couple

A more casual and concise way to indicate a slight reduction.

with a small number of exceptions

More formal and explicit about the presence of exceptions.

excluding some

Focuses on what is being left out rather than the overall quantity.

save for a few

Offers a slightly more literary or old-fashioned tone.

barring a small number

A more formal and emphatic way to indicate exceptions.

apart from several

Highlights the separation of the exceptions from the whole.

without some

Focuses on absence of the exceptions.

short by several

Implies a deficit or lack of the mentioned quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "minus a few" to indicate a slight reduction or omission. For example, "The team was complete, minus a few members who were sick."

What's a more formal way to say "minus a few"?

If you're looking for a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "with a small number of exceptions" or "excluding some".

Is it correct to use "minus a few" in academic writing?

While "minus a few" is grammatically correct, it may be perceived as informal for academic writing. Consider using more precise language depending on the context.

What's the difference between "minus a few" and "except for a few"?

Both phrases indicate exceptions, but "minus a few" implies a subtraction or reduction, while "except for a few" simply highlights the exceptions without necessarily implying a prior whole.