though few

USAGE SUMMARY

"though few" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a conjunction to express contrast or opposition between two ideas. For example, "Though few in number, the protestors were determined to make their voices heard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These days, though, few stars sparkle on the long menu.

The New York Times

There are plenty of photographs, though few framed prints.

The New York Times - Arts

Even in years when ticket sales are robust, though, few participants make money.

The New York Times

Back in 1987, though, few voices were speaking in defense of Fox.

The New York Times - Arts

Then as now, though, few seemed interested in the actual woman on screen.

The New York Times

So far, though, few of the back-up systems ever needed to be deployed.

The Economist

For now, though, few companies are planning to pull out of China, Hvistendahl reports.

Science Magazine

They are, though, few and far between.

Huffington Post

In his defense, though, few had.

Huffington Post

Surprisingly though, few randomized, placebo-controlled trials have been published.

American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy

Though few critics applauded, audiences did.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "though few" to introduce a contrast or unexpected element after acknowledging a limited quantity. It's effective when you want to highlight something despite its scarcity.

Common error

Avoid using "though few" when there is no genuine contrast or concession to be made. Ensure the second part of the sentence genuinely stands in some tension with the limited quantity implied by "few".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though few" functions as a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause that expresses concession or contrast. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it sets up an expectation of scarcity or a limited quantity, followed by a statement that contrasts with or overrides that expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

26%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "though few" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrasting element despite a limited quantity. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing, and general discourse. The phrase indicates that despite there being a small number of something, what follows is still significant or noteworthy. To maximize impact, ensure a real contrast is present. Common alternatives include "although a small number" or "despite the scarcity", but the best fit depends on the desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

although a small number

Replaces "few" with a more explicit description of quantity, maintaining the concessive meaning.

even though a minority

Uses "minority" to describe the limited quantity, maintaining the concessive meaning with "even though".

while a small segment

Similar to "though few", this option expresses a limited portion and creates a contrast.

even if a handful

Emphasizes the limited quantity using "handful", while retaining the contrast introduced by "even if".

granted only a handful

Acknowledges that only a small amount exists, before contrasting with another point.

despite the scarcity

Focuses on the lack of something while still introducing a contrasting element.

despite only a trickle

Uses "trickle" to emphasize the small quantity or flow, while maintaining a contrasting tone.

notwithstanding the limited number

Uses a more formal tone to acknowledge the small quantity before presenting a contrast.

though a smattering

Conveys the sense of a small, scattered amount, similar to "though few".

in spite of the rarity

Highlights the infrequency of something while introducing a contrasting idea.

FAQs

How can I use "though few" in a sentence?

"Though few" introduces a contrasting element despite a small quantity. For example, "Though few attended, the meeting was productive".

What are some alternatives to "though few"?

Alternatives include phrases like "although a small number", "even if a handful", or "despite the scarcity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "although few" instead of "though few"?

Yes, "although few" is a grammatically correct and semantically similar alternative to "though few". The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "though a few" and "though few"?

"Though a few" implies there's at least some noticeable quantity, while "though few" suggests the quantity is surprisingly or disappointingly small. For example, "Though a few came, it wasn't enough" versus "Though few came, we still had fun".