really few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really few" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to emphasize or intensify the smallness of the number or amount being referred to. Here is an example sentence: "There were really few people at the meeting, most of our team was out sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Really nice.

The New York Times

Is this really England?

Independent

New Populism really New Conservatism.

The New Yorker

Really, Australia?

The Guardian - Opinion

Really Good, really.

The Guardian - Arts

Not really Santa Claus, but not really not.

The New York Times

Could Hussein Really Vanish?

The New York Times

Was this really Denmark?

The New York Times - Travel

"Really?" Mason said.

The New York Times - Sports

Does Zimbabwe Really Need Trophy Hunting?

The New Yorker

"Not really China, just weird," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really few" when you want to emphasize the scarcity or surprisingly small number of something. It adds a touch more emphasis than simply saying "very few".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "really few" might sound less formal than alternatives like "remarkably few" or "surprisingly few" in academic or professional contexts. Choose the most appropriate phrase based on the tone and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really few" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "few". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. It specifies the quantity of something, emphasizing that it is not just few, but really few.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really few" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the small quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. While acceptable, it's less common than "very few" and may sound less formal in academic or professional writing. The frequency of the phrase is currently classified as "missing" due to lack of examples in the analyzed data. Remember that alternative phrases such as "very few", "remarkably few", or "surprisingly few" may be more suitable depending on the context and the desired level of formality. It's best used when you want to subtly highlight the scarcity of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very few

Emphasizes a small quantity, similar to "really few" but slightly more common.

extremely few

Highlights an even smaller quantity with greater emphasis.

remarkably few

Implies surprise at the smallness of the quantity.

surprisingly few

Similar to 'remarkably few', indicating unexpected scarcity.

a scant few

Uses 'scant' to suggest a barely sufficient number.

a tiny number

Focuses on the smallness of the number itself.

hardly any

Indicates near absence, similar to 'very few'.

scarcely any

Another way to express near absence or a very limited amount.

just a handful

Implies that the amount can be counted on one hand.

a small minority

Highlights that the quantity represents a limited portion of a larger group.

FAQs

What does "really few" mean?

The phrase "really few" means a very small number or amount of something. It emphasizes the scarcity or limited quantity.

Is it more appropriate to say "very few" or "really few"?

Both "really few" and "very few" are grammatically correct, but "very few" is more commonly used and may sound more natural in most contexts. "Really few" adds a slight emphasis.

Can I use "really few" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "really few" might sound too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using alternatives like "remarkably few" or "surprisingly few" for a more formal tone.

What are some alternatives to "really few"?

You can use alternatives such as "very few", "extremely few", "hardly any", or "just a handful" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.