there are few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'there are few' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is limited in quantity. For example, "There are few places in town where I feel comfortable walking alone at night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are few jobs.

The New York Times

There are few ambulances.

The Economist

There are few clues.

The New York Times

There are few precedents.

The New York Times

There are few surprises.

The Economist

There are few foxhunters.

The Economist

There are few cars.

The New Yorker

There are few jobs here.

The Economist

There are few other details.

The New York Times

There are few surprises anymore.

The New York Times

There are few legal precedents.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there are few", ensure the noun that follows is plural. For example, "There are few opportunities" rather than "There are few opportunity".

Common error

Avoid using "there are few" with singular nouns. It should always be followed by a plural noun to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are few" functions as a determiner phrase indicating a small quantity or scarcity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there are few" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a limited quantity or scarcity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used across various contexts. Its primary function is to convey that something exists in a small number. While the phrase is suitable for various registers, it is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using "there are few", ensure that the following noun is plural to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only a few

Emphasizes the exclusivity and limitation.

there are a small number of

Uses a more descriptive phrase emphasizing a limited quantity.

the instances are rare

Highlights the rareness of the instances.

there exist a limited number of

More formal phrasing, highlighting the existence of something in a restricted quantity.

limited instances of

Highlights the limited number of occurrences.

few exist

A more concise inversion emphasizing rarity.

scarce are

Emphasizes rareness and scarcity with a slightly inverted structure.

not many are present

Focuses on the absence of a larger quantity.

a paucity of

Uses a more formal noun to indicate a deficiency or lack.

a handful of

Uses a more informal, figurative term to indicate a small quantity.

FAQs

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

Use "there are few" to indicate that something exists in a small quantity. For instance, "There are few restaurants open late in this area."

What can I say instead of "there are few"?

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

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

No, "there is few" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "there are few" because "few" is plural and requires the plural verb "are".

What's the difference between "there are few" and "there are a few"?

"There are few" implies a scarcity or lack of something, while "there are a few" suggests that some exist, but not many. For example, "There are few good movies playing" suggests a lack of quality films, while "There are a few movies playing" simply indicates that some movies are showing.