of those few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of those few" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you need to refer to a small selection of things (people, objects, etc). For example: We've chosen the top 3 applicants from those few who applied.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Are any of those few from Berkeley?

University of California, Berkeley

She, however, was one of those few.

The Guardian

Eugene O'Kelly was one of those few.

The New York Times - Health

One of those few is David Bowie.

The New York Times

Jackie Fletcher was one of those few successful claimants.

Independent

One of those few exceptions has been Chibli Mallat.

The New York Times

Happily, Barbara Hannigan is one of those few.

The Guardian - Music

And the synthesizer is one of those few new classes of instruments.

Cornell University

The idea that Hamas is now destroying some of those few homes has shocked people here.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Of those, fewer than 40 had voted illegally.

The New York Times

Very few of those — fewer than 400, according to one account in The Washington Post — are of women.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of those few" to clearly indicate that you are referring to a small subset of a previously mentioned group, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. For example: "Many applied, but of those few, only the most qualified were interviewed."

Common error

Avoid using "of those few" when the initial group hasn't been explicitly defined, as this can confuse the reader. Ensure the reader clearly understands the larger group from which the 'few' are being selected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of those few" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying a subset from a previously mentioned group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of those few" is a grammatically correct and versatile prepositional phrase used to specify a small subset from a larger, already-mentioned group. It’s commonly found in news articles, academic texts, and other forms of writing where precision and clarity are valued. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in effective communication. While alternatives exist, the key is to maintain clarity and ensure the reader understands the initial group being referenced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among the few

Focuses on inclusion within a small group, rather than selection from a larger one.

from the select few

Emphasizes the exclusivity or high status of the small group.

within that limited number

Highlights the restricted quantity or scope of the group.

out of the handful

Emphasizes the small quantity and easily fits when a very small quantity is under consideration.

in the minority

Highlights the statistical smallness of the group.

a small number of those

More verbose and directly quantifies the size of the subset.

of a small selection

Emphasizes that those that followed a selection process.

among the exceptions

Emphasizes that the referred are exceptions to a rule.

from the limited pool

Emphasizes that those that followed a selection in a limited quantity scenario.

within the exclusive circle

Highlights the concept of exclusivity.

FAQs

How can I use "of those few" in a sentence?

Use "of those few" to specify a small subset from a larger group already mentioned. For example: "Many applied, but "of those few", only the most qualified were interviewed."

What are some alternatives to "of those few"?

Alternatives include phrases like "among the few", "from the select few", or "within that limited number", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "of those few"?

Yes, the phrase "of those few" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to refer to a small subset within a larger group.

What's the difference between "of those few" and "of the few"?

"Of those few" refers to a specific, previously identified group, while "of the few" implies a more general or universally known small group. The choice depends on whether the context requires a specific reference.