save for a few

USAGE SUMMARY

"save for a few" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean "with the exception of a few" or "apart from a few". For example: "The room was empty, save for a few items of furniture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everything was dark, save for a few shots of fuchsia.

The New York Times

The bill passed anyway, save for a few concessions.

The New York Times

A lot of murmuring going on, save for a few St . Louisshouts.

The New York Times

The expansive workbenches are clutter-free, save for a few parcels of Aboriginal artefacts.

The Guardian

But save for a few hangings after the war, the Armenians were later abandoned.

Independent

Now there are none, save for a few small colonies of one partly social species.

The New York Times

Tremblois was leveled by shelling, save for a few houses and the church.

The New York Times

On a recent afternoon, Crusty Row was empty, save for a few parkgoers.

The New York Times

Her brown hair is pinned up, save for a few stray tendrils.

The Guardian

"The 2016 election I've been entirely silent, save for a few snarky tweets.

The Guardian

But little distinguishes his workspace from most others, save for a few things.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "save for a few", ensure that the exceptions are genuinely few in number. If the exceptions become numerous, consider rephrasing your statement for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "save for a few" when the exceptions are significant or undermine the main point of your sentence. Overusing it can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "save for a few" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause by introducing exceptions. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates that a general statement holds true except for a small number of specific instances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "save for a few" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that a statement is generally true with only a small number of exceptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its frequent use in news and media demonstrates its versatility, as confirmed by Ludwig. When writing, it's important to ensure that the exceptions are genuinely few to maintain the statement's validity. It's a versatile and useful addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a few exceptions

Replaces 'save for' with 'with' and uses the noun 'exceptions' instead of the preposition 'for'.

apart from a few

Uses 'apart from' to convey a similar meaning of exclusion.

excluding a few

Uses the verb 'excluding' to indicate the exceptions.

besides a few

Employs 'besides' as a preposition to signify 'in addition to' but implies an exception.

with the exception of a few

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing the exception.

excepting a small number

Uses the gerund 'excepting' followed by a noun phrase.

other than a few

Utilizes 'other than' to specify the exceptions.

but for a few

Employs 'but for' to introduce the exception.

leaving out a few

Uses the verb phrase 'leaving out' to indicate the exclusion.

barring a few

Employs 'barring' as a preposition to signify the exception.

FAQs

How can I use "save for a few" in a sentence?

Use "save for a few" to indicate that something is generally true, with only a small number of exceptions. For example, "The restaurant was empty, "save for a few" late-night diners".

What are some alternatives to "save for a few"?

You can use alternatives like "with a few exceptions", "apart from a few", or "excluding a few" depending on the context.

Is "save for a few" formal or informal?

"Save for a few" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "with the exception of a few" exist for highly formal writing.

What does "save for a few" imply about the exceptions?

"Save for a few" implies that the exceptions are minimal and do not significantly alter the overall truth of the statement. If the exceptions are substantial, a different phrase may be more appropriate.