per few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "per few" is not a common English phrase.
It is not properly used in written English. Instead, you might say "per a few" or "a few at a time" or "in batches of a few". Example: I get overwhelmed when I have to do too many tasks, so I like to break up my work into batches of a few.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Donuts is not music per se; few of its tracks are fully formed in the conventional sense.

The Guardian - Music

The French work twenty-eight per cent fewer hours per person than Americans, and the Germans put in twenty-five per cent fewer hours.

The New Yorker

Table 2 complements it by aggregating some performance ranking and adding a few per-method statistics.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

OPEC will try to expand its membership, keeping oil above $60 per barrel, with few exceptions.

Forbes

The frequency of flares was one to three per year with few hospital stays necessary.

BMC Genomics

The results were encouraging: participants found that they experienced forty-six per cent fewer interruptions, and nearly sixty per cent felt more productive while using the light.

The New Yorker

Rushika Fernandopulle, who runs the clinic, found that after twelve months the first twelve hundred patients had forty per cent fewer emergency-room visits and hospital admissions and twenty-five per cent fewer surgical procedures.

The New Yorker

A numerical model predicts residual background from tritium sources of few counts per day.

Nuclear Physics B - Proceedings Supplements

However, direct comparisons were difficult, because the charters took about twenty per cent fewer low-income and special-needs students.

The New Yorker

"There's a simple rule of thumb: Every ten minutes of commuting results in ten per cent fewer social connections.

The New Yorker

But the overwhelming majority of American businesses ninety-six per cent—have fewer than fifty employees.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "per few" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "for a few" or "in small quantities".

Common error

A common mistake is to use "per" with quantities that aren't singular or clearly defined. Remember that "per" typically indicates "for each" or "for every", so using it with "few" creates grammatical awkwardness. Instead use "for a few".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "per few" is grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI indicates it's not properly used in written English. It attempts to denote a rate or ratio across a small, undefined quantity, which is not standard usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "per few" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this, suggesting alternatives like "for a few" or "a few at a time". Its intended use is to express a rate or frequency across a small quantity, but this is better achieved using grammatically sound alternatives. Due to its incorrect nature, it's best to avoid "per few" in formal writing and opt for clearer, more precise language. Consider replacing it with phrases like "for a few", "in small quantities", or "a handful of" to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in small amounts

Emphasizes the limited quantity or frequency of something.

for a small number

Replaces "per few" by focusing on the small quantity involved.

a handful of

Highlights a small, easily managed quantity of items.

in infrequent instances

Shifts the focus to the rarity of occurrence.

on a limited scale

Indicates that something is done or exists in a small scope.

in select cases

Points out that something only happens in specific, rare situations.

for a limited selection

Implies that something is available only to a small, select group.

in restricted amounts

Highlights that the amount of something is deliberately kept small.

in minimal doses

Used when discussing small quantities of medicine, chemicals, or other controlled substances.

with limited exposure

Implies that there is a constraint on contact or interaction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "per few" to sound more natural?

Instead of "per few", you can use alternatives like "for a few", "a few at a time", or "in small batches" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "per" with plural nouns like in "per few"?

No, "per" is generally used with singular nouns to indicate a rate or ratio for each individual item. It's more appropriate to use phrases like "for a few" or "in batches of a few" when dealing with small quantities.

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

"For a few" is a grammatically correct phrase that indicates something applies to a small number of items or instances. "Per few" is not considered standard English; use "for a few" instead. For example: "We only need supplies "for a few" days".

When is it appropriate to use "per" in a sentence?

"Per" is suitable when you want to express a rate, ratio, or frequency related to a single unit. Examples include "dollars per hour", "miles per gallon", or "twice per week". The term is best used in describing rates, not quantities.