there are few data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there are few data" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would be "there is little data" or "there are few pieces of data." Example: "In this study, there is little data to support the hypothesis."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are few data from pediatric patients in literature.

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

There are few data available for m in phreatic eruptions.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

However, there are few data about correlating the effects of different sandstone aggregates.

Construction and Building Materials

However, there are few data linking features of cities to the public health.

Sustainable Cities and Society

There are few data on the biomechanical behavior of these implants under physiologic conditions.

The Journal of Hand Surgery

There are few data out of the applicability domain of the proposed models.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

There are few data on responses to conservative therapy in the management of lumbar degenerative diseases.

PM&R

There are few data on the risk of these complications after different abdominal operations.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

There are few data concerning the relationship between dietary potassium intake and outcome.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

There are few data about the optimal combination of preoperative studies to accurately identify resectable patients.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Numerous agents are available, but there are few data to advise optimal sequencing.

Cancer Treatment Communications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be aware that while "there are few data" is commonly used, it may be perceived as grammatically incorrect in formal writing. Opt for alternatives to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid using plural verbs (are) with the noun "data" without considering its countability. When referring to data as a collective whole, prefer "is" (there is little data). If treating as individual points, use "data points" and the plural verb "are."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are few data" functions as an existential statement expressing the limited availability of information. Ludwig highlights its prevalence, particularly in scientific contexts, despite grammatical concerns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "there are few data" is frequently encountered, especially in scientific literature, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig, the correct phrasing is "there is little data". Despite its prevalence, adopting alternatives like "there is little data" or specifying countable units (e.g., "there are few data points") can enhance clarity and maintain credibility, especially in formal contexts. Awareness of the subject-verb agreement and the countability of "data" is crucial for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is little data

Employs singular verb "is" to agree with the non-count noun "data", reflecting a more grammatically correct construction.

there is a paucity of data

Replaces "few" with "a paucity", indicating scarcity in a more formal and emphatic manner.

data is scarce

Rearranges the sentence to emphasize the scarcity of data using the adjective "scarce".

the data are limited

Uses "are" to agree with "data" viewed as plural and emphasizes the limited quantity.

there is a shortage of data

Substitutes "few" with "a shortage", highlighting the deficiency in available information.

data is lacking

Replaces the initial phrase with a more direct statement that data is absent or insufficient.

the data set is incomplete

Focuses on the incompleteness of the data set, implying that not all necessary data is present.

the available data is limited

Highlights that the data which is accessible is restricted, suggesting constraints on information.

there's a lack of data

Uses the contraction "there's" and replaces "few" with "a lack", simplifying the expression.

the data are insufficient

Emphasizes that the existing data does not meet the requirements or is inadequate for a specific purpose.

FAQs

Is "there are few data" grammatically correct?

No, while commonly used, "there are few data" is considered grammatically incorrect. The more accepted phrasing is "there is little data".

What's a more formal alternative to "there are few data"?

A more formal and grammatically sound alternative is "there is a paucity of data".

How can I use "data" correctly with plural verbs?

To correctly use plural verbs with "data", specify countable units. For example, "there are few data points" is grammatically correct.

What can I say instead of "there are few data" in a scientific context?

In scientific writing, alternatives like "data is scarce" or "the available data is limited" are often preferred for clarity and precision.