to mention a few

USAGE SUMMARY

"to mention a few" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "I have many hobbies, such as cooking, playing guitar, and hiking, to mention a few."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were later joined by Neyman, Hansen, Hurwitz, Madow, and Cochran just to mention a few.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

Not to mention a few days later, on my birthday my father ODed and passed.

Harvard University

I'll try to mention a few of them in the conversation part.

Cornell University

There are all kinds of notable guests here, but I just want to mention a few.

The New York Times

You'll probably want to mention a few of his famous buildings.

The Guardian - Arts

He also targets the Environmental Protection Agency, not to mention a few of his Republican rivals.

The New York Times - Books

Not to mention, a few ex-pats aside, much in the way of rugby-themed soul.

The Guardian - Sport

These include cereals, pretzels, cookies, crackers, chips and candies, to mention a few.

The New York Times

Let's rediscover Flaubert, Stendhal, Celine, just to mention a few detectors of fraudulence.

The New York Times - Books

Through this process, places of worship, residential buildings, motor parks, schools, markets, mechanic workshops, to mention a few activities, have been displaced in order to fulfil the project.

Journal of Transport Geography

Green concrete comes in various forms such as high-volume fly ash concrete, ultra-high performance concrete, geopolymer concrete, lightweight concrete to mention a few.

Construction and Building Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to mention a few", ensure the items you list are representative of the larger set. Choose examples that accurately reflect the overall category or topic.

Common error

Avoid using "to mention a few" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your introductory phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to mention a few" functions as an introductory phrase. According to Ludwig, it introduces a selection of examples from a wider range of possibilities, signaling that the list is not exhaustive. This is evident in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

38%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to mention a few" is a versatile introductory phrase that effectively signals a non-exhaustive list of examples. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences, overusing it can detract from writing impact. Consider varying your introductory phrases to enhance reader engagement. Remember to provide representative examples when using this phrase to accurately reflect the broader topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just to name a couple

Emphasizes brevity and the limited scope of examples provided.

as a few examples

Highlights the illustrative nature of the items being listed.

for example

A more general introduction to examples, less specific about the quantity.

by way of illustration

More formal and emphasizes the illustrative purpose.

to cite some instances

Highlights specific occurrences or cases.

among others

Implies there are many more examples not being listed.

such as

Directly introduces examples without additional commentary.

including but not limited to

Formally indicates a non-exhaustive list.

a few examples being

Highlights that what follows is only some examples.

to give you an idea

Focuses on providing a general sense rather than specific detail.

FAQs

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

You can use "to mention a few" to introduce a non-exhaustive list of examples. For instance, "My favorite fruits are apples, bananas, and oranges, "to mention a few"."

What are some alternatives to "to mention a few"?

Alternatives include "for example", "such as", or "including but not limited to". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it correct to use "to name a few" instead of "to mention a few"?

Yes, "to name a few" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both phrases serve the purpose of introducing a limited selection of examples from a larger set.

What is the difference between "to mention a few" and "among others"?

"To mention a few" introduces specific examples, while "among others" implies there are more examples without specifying them. For example, "We visited Paris, Rome, and London, "to mention a few"" provides specific cities, whereas "We visited several European cities, "among others"" does not.