more than few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than few" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It typically means a small but significant number or amount, more than what would be considered a few. Example: "More than a few people were surprised by the election results." In this sentence, the speaker is emphasizing that the number of people who were surprised was not just a small number, but it was significant. The use of "more than few" adds emphasis to the idea that the number was not insignificant.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It rarely takes him more than few minutes.

The New York Times

That's something that more than few people ought to be interested in.

MIT Technology Review

We first point out that the BOX thickness should not be more than few hundred nanometers to maintain electrical performances.

Diamond and Related Materials

On Long Island, more than few surfers and fishermen flocked to the heaving waves near Montauk at sunrise.

The New York Times

It is a concept album, which is de rigueur if the plan is to sell more than few thousand copies.

The New York Times - Arts

Conventional thermal stabilization process takes more than few hours to prevent the ignition of the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber when large-tow PAN fibers are stabilized.

Carbon

The carpet thickness could be accurately controlled from few tenth micrometers to more than few millimeters by tuning the synthesis duration.

Catalysis Today

Well, I'll confess to not having been able to get more than few seconds into the audio version of my book "As Nature Made Him".

The New Yorker

Having written about a dozen children's books — more than few with sassy red-haired protagonists — she's at work on several more.

The New York Times

Though he could sit comfortably, standing for more than few minutes was difficult, and he tended to squat or lean forward from the waist to catch his breath.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Few are planned more than a few days in advance.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than few" to indicate a quantity that is small but significant, implying it is more than just a negligible amount but less than a large number. It adds emphasis and can subtly downplay the quantity without dismissing it entirely.

Common error

Avoid using "more than few" when you need to express a large quantity. While it suggests 'more than a little', it doesn't convey the magnitude of 'many' or 'numerous'. If a large quantity is meant, choose a more appropriate expression to accurately reflect the amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than few" functions as a quantifier, specifying an amount greater than a minimal quantity. It indicates that there are at least some instances or items, conveying a sense of understated significance. As Ludwig indicates, this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than few" is a grammatically correct and commonly used quantifier that indicates a quantity greater than a minimal amount but not necessarily large. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, to acknowledge the presence of something without overstating its abundance. When writing, consider using related phrases like "quite a few" or "several" to refine your expression of quantity. Avoid using it when you want to express a larger number or amount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite a few

This alternative emphasizes the quantity is somewhat substantial.

a good few

This alternative implies a satisfactory or reasonable quantity.

a number of

This alternative is less specific, indicating an unspecified quantity.

a fair number of

This alternative suggests a moderate to large quantity.

several

This alternative denotes a quantity greater than two but not many.

more than a couple

This alternative specifies a quantity greater than two.

not a small number

This alternative emphasizes the quantity is significant.

a handful of

This alternative suggests a small quantity that can be held in one hand.

numerous

This alternative suggests a large quantity, more formal.

some

This alternative is the least specific, indicating the existence of at least one.

FAQs

How do I use "more than few" in a sentence?

Use "more than few" to indicate a quantity that is greater than just a small amount but not a large number. For instance, "More than few people attended the lecture" suggests that a noticeable number of people were present.

What's the difference between "more than few" and "quite a few"?

While both phrases indicate a quantity greater than just a small number, "quite a few" often implies a larger quantity than "more than few". "More than few" suggests a modest but noticeable amount, whereas "quite a few" emphasizes a more substantial quantity.

What can I say instead of "more than few"?

You can use alternatives like "a number of", "several", or "a good few" depending on the context. Each option conveys a slightly different nuance of quantity.

Is it correct to say "less than few"?

The phrase "less than few" is not commonly used and may sound awkward. It's better to use more direct alternatives like "only a few" or "very few" to express a small quantity.