to be few

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be few" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the quantity or number of something is small or limited. Example: "The participants in the meeting were to be few, as many had prior commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

There seem to be few solutions.

The New York Times

There seemed to be few fashion ambiguities.

The New York Times

Successful superhero films used to be few and far between.

The Guardian - Film

Disincentives beyond the possibility of flooding seem to be few.

The New York Times

There seem to be few obstacles to Mr. Jospin's plan.

The New York Times

With so many capos in jail, there are said to be few veterans left.

The Economist

In Loretto, so far, there appear to be few complaints about the new mayor.

The New York Times - Sports

But there are likely to be few takers so long as electricity shortages persist.

The Economist

It'll take some time to sort them all out, but there appear to be few surprises.

The New Yorker

But bargains seem to be few and far between right now, the height of tourist season.

The New York Times

So there ought to be few complaints about the officiating this time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to be few", ensure it logically connects to a subject indicating what is scarce or limited. For example, "Opportunities to be few" should have a clear subject like "In this economy, job opportunities tend to be few".

Common error

Avoid using "to be few" with singular subjects. This phrase implies plurality, so ensure your subject is plural or collective. Incorrect: "The chance to be few." Correct: "The chances to be few."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be few" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as part of a larger verb construction. As Ludwig AI explains and exemplifies, it often expresses a state of limited quantity or scarcity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be few" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed infinitive phrase. Ludwig AI highlights its use to convey a limited quantity or scarcity, as seen in numerous examples across news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure subject-verb agreement and avoid using it with singular subjects. For alternative expressions, consider options like "to be scarce" or "to be limited". Overall, this phrase offers a succinct way to express a lack of abundance in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be scarce

Replaces 'few' with 'scarce', emphasizing rarity.

to be rare

Emphasizes the infrequency of occurrence.

to be limited

Focuses on a restriction in number or amount.

to be uncommon

Highlights the unusual or infrequent nature.

to be in short supply

Indicates a deficiency or lack of availability.

to be thin on the ground

Informal idiom suggesting a lack of presence.

to be deficient

Highlights a lack or insufficiency.

to be a handful

Implies a small, manageable quantity.

to be exiguous

Emphasizes extreme smallness or meagerness, generally used in formal contexts.

to be numerically challenged

A humorous way to express a small quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "to be few" in a sentence?

Use "to be few" to indicate a limited quantity or scarcity. For example, "The instances of success were "to be few" during the initial trials."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to be few"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to be scarce", "to be limited", or "to be uncommon", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

No, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "there are to be few" to agree with the implied plural subject.

What is the difference between "to be few" and "to be a few"?

"To be few" indicates a small quantity, whereas "to be a few" suggests there are some, though not many. The addition of "a" changes the meaning from scarcity to a small number. For example "There are opportunities to be few" vs "There are opportunities to be a few"