there were only a few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were only a few" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a small number or quantity of something. Example: "At the party last night, there were only a few guests who arrived on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were only a few.

The New York Times - Travel

There were only a few onlookers.

The New York Times

There were only a few obscure entries.

The New York Times

There were only a few missteps.

The New York Times

There were only a few hundred.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There were only a few blitzes.

The New York Times - Sports

There were only a few public complaints.

The New Yorker

There were only a few slip-ups.

The New York Times

There were only a few tradeoffs that we ran into.

Cornell University

"At that time there were only a few dozen newspapers.

The Guardian

There were only a few upsides to the task.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were only a few", ensure the context clearly indicates what the limited quantity refers to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "there were only a few" when referring to something that is expected to be abundant. This can create a sense of understatement or sarcasm unintentionally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were only a few" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun in a limited or reduced sense. Ludwig provides numerous examples to illustrate its proper use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were only a few" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a limited quantity. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. The expert rating is high due to its grammatical correctness, source authority, and consistent usage. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid using it sarcastically. Consider alternatives like "a limited number" or "a scant few" for a more formal tone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples for reference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only a handful existed

Emphasizes the small number by using the idiom "handful".

a scant few were present

Uses "scant" to highlight the insufficiency or barely adequate number.

very few individuals were there

More formal and emphasizes the individual presence.

a limited number were available

Focuses on the limited availability rather than just the quantity.

few in number could be found

Highlights the difficulty in finding the items or people.

just a small amount remained

Emphasizes that only a small amount survived or was left.

hardly any were seen

Highlights the lack of visibility or presence.

a trickle of attendees arrived

Uses a metaphor to describe the slow and sparse arrival.

a smattering were noticed

Indicates that only a scattered and small number were observed.

barely any were around

An informal way to express the near absence of something or someone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "there were only a few" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use phrases such as "a limited number", "a scant few", or "very few individuals".

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

"There were only a few" emphasizes the scarcity or limited quantity of something. "There were a few" simply acknowledges the presence of some, without necessarily highlighting that the number is small.

Is it always appropriate to use "there were only a few" in writing?

While grammatically correct, "there were only a few" is best used when you want to emphasize that the quantity is surprisingly or disappointingly small. Consider the context and the effect you want to create.

What are some less common alternatives to "there were only a few"?

Some less common, more evocative alternatives include "a trickle of", "a smattering of", or "hardly any", which add color and nuance to your writing.