there were few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were few" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "There were few people attending the conference this year due to the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There, were few precedents.

The Guardian - Sport

There were few chances.

The New York Times - Sports

There were few disappointments.

The New York Times - Arts

There were few newcomers.

The Economist

There were few dissenters.

The Economist

There were few rules.

The New York Times - Arts

There were few workers.

The Economist

There were few jokes.

The Economist

There were few fireworks, however.

The New York Times - Sports

There were few good roads.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There were few trading glitches.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were few", ensure the noun you're referring to is plural. For example, "There were few options available" is correct, while "There were few option available" is not.

Common error

Avoid using "there was" with a plural noun when intending to convey "there were few". For instance, instead of "There was few problems", use "There were few problems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were few" functions as an existential quantifier, indicating a limited existence or presence of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase adheres to standard grammatical conventions and appears frequently in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there were few" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate scarcity or a limited quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its adherence to standard grammar and its common appearance across diverse sources. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure correct subject-verb agreement and consider related phrases to diversify your writing. Remember that while "there were few" effectively conveys a lack, context dictates whether a more formal or descriptive alternative might better serve your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not many were present

Directly states the lack of a significant presence.

a minority were available

Indicates that only a small segment or portion was accessible or present.

there was a limited number

Highlights the restriction in quantity or count.

a small number occurred

Highlights the infrequency or limited occurrence of an event or instance.

there existed a scarcity

Emphasizes the limited existence of something using more formal language.

scant instances were noted

Emphasizes the rarity and lack of significant examples or occurrences.

only a handful existed

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a small quantity.

isolated cases appeared

Conveys the idea of infrequent and separate occurrences.

several were absent

Focuses on the absence or lack of a greater number, implying something is missing.

a trickle could be found

Uses a metaphor to describe a very small and slow appearance of something.

FAQs

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

Use "there were few" to indicate a small quantity or number of something. For example, "There were few people at the meeting" suggests that the attendance was low.

What's a more formal way to say "there were few"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "a limited number existed" or "only a handful were present". For example, instead of "There were few resources available", you could say "A limited number of resources were available".

Which is correct: "there was few" or "there were few"?

"There were few" is the correct grammatical form. The verb "were" agrees with the plural noun that follows. "There was few" is incorrect because "was" is singular.

What are some alternatives to using "there were few"?

You can use alternatives like "not many", "only a few", or "a small number" depending on the context. For example, instead of saying "There were few tickets left", you could say "Only a few tickets were left".