only very few

USAGE SUMMARY

'only very few' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverbial phrase that is used to emphasize the small number of something. For example: "Only very few people attended the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only very few data exist on Actinomyces in IORN.

Human Pathology

However, only very few studies to address this issue exist.

International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture

Only very few inscriptions have been found in Phoenicia proper.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Only very few cinema companies will exhibit those movies.

The New York Times

"Markets in the Northeast have really only very few stores.

The New York Times

Conclusions: The two depressed samples (suicidal vs. non-suicidal individuals) have only very few dissimilarities.

Journal of Affective Disorders

However, in the range of small capacities (<50 kW), only very few systems were reported.

Energy and Buildings

Validation of calculations is required but only very few events have been measured in flight.

Advances in Space Research

Only very few academic inventors are found to hold brokerage positions.

Research Policy

Our results show that only very few topologies are necessary to provide an optimal protection configuration.

AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications

In general, protein crystals are artificial products as only very few natural crystals are known.

Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry II

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only very few", ensure the context clearly defines what the small quantity is being compared against. This provides better clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "only very few" when a more emphatic term like "almost none" or "hardly any" would be more accurate. Ensure the phrase reflects the actual scarcity you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only very few" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a small quantity or number of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

11%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only very few" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a strikingly small quantity or number, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to emphasize scarcity. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the comparison point to enhance clarity. Alternatives like ""just a handful"" or ""a scant few"" can offer nuanced shades of meaning. Overall, "only very few" is a versatile phrase suitable for formal and informal communication, provided its use accurately reflects the intended degree of scarcity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a scant few

Emphasizes the insufficiency or scarcity of the number.

just a handful

Implies the number is small enough to be counted on one hand.

hardly any

Indicates a minimal or almost non-existent quantity.

a negligible number

Highlights that the quantity is so small it's insignificant.

precious few

Emphasizes rarity and high value despite the small number.

exceedingly few

Stresses the extreme smallness of the quantity.

a tiny minority

Focuses on the small proportion of a group or population.

almost none

Conveys that the quantity is near zero.

scarce few

Indicates both the smallness and the limited availability.

a smattering of

Suggests a small, scattered amount or number.

FAQs

How can I use "only very few" in a sentence?

The phrase "only very few" is used to emphasize a small number or quantity. For example: "Only very few students passed the exam."

What phrases are similar to "only very few"?

Similar phrases include "just a handful", "a scant few", or "hardly any". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "only very few" in formal writing?

Yes, "only very few" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to express a small quantity without being overly informal.

What's the difference between "only a few" and "only very few"?

"Only a few" indicates a small number, while "only very few" emphasizes that the number is exceptionally small or scarce.