precious few

USAGE SUMMARY

"precious few" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means a very small number or amount. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts. Example 1: Despite the large number of applicants, precious few were chosen for the prestigious scholarship program. Example 2: The restaurant had a wide variety of dishes on its menu, but precious few were actually worth trying. Example 3: After weeks of searching, they found precious few clues that could lead them to the missing person. Example 4: The politician promised to bring about meaningful change, but his actions have yielded precious few results.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Precious few.

Independent

Precious, precious few.

The Economist

There are precious few options.

The Economist

Precious few, it turned out.

The New York Times - Arts

But, in reality, A.I.G. has precious few.

The New York Times

Precious few of our religious leaders laugh.

The New York Times

The sellers are precious few.

The New York Times - Arts

Precious few, I would say.

The New York Times - Magazine

No confidence, precious few wins.

The Guardian - Sport

Precious few places do these days.

The Guardian - Opinion

Precious few are born that way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precious few" to emphasize a surprisingly or disappointingly small number, especially when something more was expected or desired.

Common error

While acceptable, "precious few" can sound slightly informal. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "very few" or "a limited number" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precious few" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a small quantity. It is used to emphasize the scarcity or limited number of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Opinion

10%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "precious few" is a grammatically correct and common way to express that something exists in a surprisingly or disappointingly small quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use. It functions as a determiner phrase, emphasizing scarcity and often conveying a sense of disappointment. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to slightly informal contexts. The most authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, frequently employ this phrase. Alternatives like "very few" or "a limited number" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very few

Direct synonym, replacing "precious" with "very" for emphasis.

hardly any

Emphasizes the scarcity or near absence of something.

scarcely any

Similar to "hardly any", highlighting the lack of something.

almost none

Emphasizes that the quantity is nearing zero.

rarely any

Implies that instances are infrequent and therefore few.

a small number

A more literal and neutral way of expressing a limited quantity.

a handful

Suggests the quantity is so small it can be counted on one hand.

a limited number

Focuses on the restriction in quantity.

a negligible amount

Highlights that the amount is so small it's practically insignificant.

an insignificant quantity

Stresses the unimportance of the small quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "precious few" in a sentence?

"Precious few" is used to emphasize that something exists in a very small quantity. For example: "There are "very few" opportunities like this."

What's a more formal alternative to "precious few"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "a limited number", "a small quantity", or "very few" instead of "precious few".

Is it correct to say "a precious few" or just "precious few"?

Both "precious few" and "a precious few" are grammatically acceptable, although "precious few" is more common. The addition of "a" doesn't significantly alter the meaning.

What is the difference between "few" and "precious few"?

"Few" indicates a small number, while "precious few" emphasizes that the number is surprisingly or disappointingly small. It adds a layer of emotional emphasis.