outside the handful of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outside the handful of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of exceptions or specific cases that are not included in a broader category. Example: "Outside the handful of experts in the field, few people understand the complexities of quantum physics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Outside, the handful of photographers patiently wait for their moment.

The Guardian

Relatively small numbers of people live outside the handful of big urban areas in the expansive territory, which consists largely of deserts and highlands.

The New York Times

There are also few tourist-friendly hotels and restaurants and no Internet service outside the handful of town centers and resorts.

The New York Times

To be sure, his/her vote won't be worth soliciting if he/she is among the roughly three-quarters of the population living outside the handful of "battleground" states.

The New Yorker

Lines of smart black SUVs with tinted windows can be seen parked outside the handful of smart hotels and restaurants, or driving along the pot-holed roads that lead to grand residences, government ministries and military compounds.

Independent

Yet outside the handful of slickly managed delivery-cum-PR channels, Amazon's sprawling marketplace can be the very opposite of a convenient consumer experience — as my experience amply illustrates.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Outside of the handful of electronics deals, the new Black Friday deals may suffer from a bit of the same sentiment – especially because early access to Lightning Deals is something Prime members can take advantage of all year long.

TechCrunch

Outside of the handful of experienced veterans, the Lakers are a young team, notably the 19-year-old Russell, selected in June's NBA draft with the second overall pick.

Los Angeles Times

And compared to the rest of the hip-hop mainstream, Chief Keef's music is stark and raw, something that is made even clearer by the handful of outside guests who appear on this album looking for some refracted credibility: 50 Cent, Rick Ross, Wiz Khalifa, Young Jeezy, French Montana.

The New York Times - Arts

The former is already available and being used both by the company's own developers and by the handful of outside developers that it has worked with so far.

TechCrunch

So sit at one of the handful of tables outside or counter seats inside — both have good views of the ocean — and sample any of the simple tacos (with fish, chicken, pork and vegetarian fillings, among others; single taco, $4), hefty enchiladas ($13 to $17) or chimichangas ($14 to $16).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outside the handful of" to clearly indicate exceptions to a general rule or trend. Ensure the context makes it clear what the 'handful' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "outside the handful of" when referring to a large number of exceptions. This phrase is most effective when the excluded group is genuinely small and easily identifiable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outside the handful of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause. It serves to delineate a set of entities or situations that are not included within a specific, small group. Ludwig examples show this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outside the handful of" serves to specify exceptions to a broader claim or trend. While grammatically correct, as supported by Ludwig AI, its effectiveness hinges on accurately portraying the excluded group as genuinely small and identifiable. Its usage spans from news and media to scientific writing, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. For alternatives, consider "beyond the few" or "apart from the limited number of" for similar meanings. Remember to use this phrase when precision about a small exclusion is crucial to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond the few

Replaces "handful" with "few", offering a slightly more concise alternative with similar meaning.

apart from the limited number of

Substitutes "handful" with "limited number", adding emphasis on the small quantity.

excluding the select group of

Uses "select group" to highlight the exclusivity of the small collection being excluded.

with the exception of a few

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the items or individuals not included.

save for a small number of

A more formal alternative, using "save for" to indicate the exclusion.

aside from the limited quantity of

Similar to "apart from", but uses "quantity" to specify that it is referring to a number.

excluding a restricted set of

Replaces "handful" with "restricted set", highlighting the controlled nature of the exclusion.

not counting the sparse number of

Emphasizes the scarcity of the items or individuals being excluded.

without including the small selection of

A more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the act of excluding.

barring a tiny group of

Uses "barring" to explicitly state the exclusion and emphasizes the small size with "tiny group".

FAQs

How can I use "outside the handful of" in a sentence?

You can use "outside the handful of" to specify exceptions to a general statement. For example, "Outside the handful of major cities, live jazz is hard to come by" indicates that live jazz is generally scarce, except in a few major cities.

What are some alternatives to "outside the handful of"?

Alternatives include "beyond the few", "apart from the limited number of", or "with the exception of a few". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "outside of the handful of"?

While "outside the handful of" is grammatically sound, "outside of the handful of" is also acceptable and commonly used, though some may consider it slightly less formal. Both phrases convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "outside the handful of" and "excluding the handful of"?

"Outside the handful of" implies a location or condition beyond a small group, while "excluding the handful of" directly omits that group. The former suggests a broader context beyond a few exceptions, while the latter emphasizes direct exclusion.