there are a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "there are a few" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small quantity of something. For example, "There are a few restaurants in this area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are a few successes.

The Economist

There are a few shortcomings.

The New York Times - Tech

There are a few downsides.

The New York Times

There are a few givens.

The New York Times

There are a few issues.

The New York Times

(There are a few caveats.

The New York Times - Tech

There are a few pluses.

The New York Times

There are a few rules.

The New York Times

There are a few surprises.

The New York Times - Arts

There are a few issues remaining.

The New York Times - Sports

But there are a few possibilities.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there are a few" when you want to indicate a small, non-specific quantity or number. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "there is a few", as "few" is plural and requires the plural verb "are". The correct form is "there are a few".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are a few" functions as an existential quantifier, indicating the presence of a small number or quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

28%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there are a few" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate a small quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent appearance across diverse sources like The New York Times and The Economist. It's appropriate for neutral to formal settings and serves to inform about the existence of something in a limited quantity without being too precise. Be sure to use the plural form "are" with "few" and consider alternatives like "several" or "just a few" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a few

Adds emphasis to the small quantity.

only a few

Highlights the limited nature of the quantity.

a handful of

Emphasizes a small, manageable quantity, similar to holding something in your hand.

a small number of

Replaces the idiomatic "a few" with more formal wording, specifying "small number".

several

Indicates more than two but not a large number; less specific than "a few".

a limited number of

Highlights the restriction on quantity, more emphatic than "a few".

a couple of

Specifically refers to two, or sometimes a small number close to two.

not many

Expresses a low quantity from a negative perspective.

some

Indicates an unspecified quantity, potentially larger than "a few".

a scattering of

Suggests a sparse distribution or occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "there are a few" in a sentence?

Use "there are a few" to indicate a small number or quantity of something. For example, "There are a few apples left in the basket" or "There are a few things I need to take care of today".

What are some alternatives to "there are a few"?

You can use alternatives like "several", "a small number of", or "just a few" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "there is a few"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. "Few" is a plural term, so it must be paired with the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "are". The correct phrasing is "there are a few".

What is the difference between "there are a few" and "there are some"?

"There are a few" implies a smaller, more limited quantity than "there are some". While both indicate an indefinite quantity, "there are some" can suggest a larger or less precisely defined amount.