too few

USAGE SUMMARY

"too few" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English, and it is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
For example, you could say "There were too few people in attendance to make the meeting worthwhile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sadly too few do.

Independent

Too few urchins.

Independent

Too few do.

Independent

Too few kits were dispatched.

The Economist

There's one too few chairs.

The New Yorker

Too few Americans are prepared.

The Economist

Far too few get them.

The New York Times - Health

Too few youngsters realise this".

Independent

Maybe that's too few.

The New York Times - Sports

Too few I think.

The Guardian

Too few fancy sauces?

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too few", ensure that the noun it modifies is countable. For uncountable nouns, use "too little" instead. For example: "too few chairs" vs. "too little time".

Common error

Avoid using "too few" with uncountable nouns. The correct phrase to use is "too little". For example, it's incorrect to say "too few water"; instead, say "too little water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too few" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies countable nouns, indicating an insufficient quantity. Ludwig AI's analysis and the provided examples confirm its role in expressing a lack of an adequate number of items or individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too few" is a versatile phrase used to express that the quantity of something countable is insufficient. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. When using "too few", it's crucial to ensure it modifies a countable noun; for uncountable nouns, "too little" should be used instead. Common alternatives include "not enough" and "insufficient number". Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not enough

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way of expressing a lack of sufficiency.

insufficient number

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the numerical aspect of the scarcity.

a shortage of

This alternative highlights the deficiency or lack of something needed.

inadequate amount

This alternative stresses that the quantity is not sufficient for the purpose.

scarce quantity

This alternative emphasizes the limited availability of something.

limited supply

This alternative focuses on the restricted availability of a resource or item.

paucity of

This alternative is a more formal and less common way to indicate a small or insufficient amount.

dearth of

This alternative is a literary term implying a severe lack or scarcity.

meager amount

This alternative emphasizes that the quantity is small and often unsatisfactory.

a trickle of

This alternative suggests a very small and slow supply or flow of something.

FAQs

How do I use "too few" in a sentence?

"Too few" is used to indicate an insufficient number of countable items. For example: "There are "too few houses" available for the growing population."

What's the difference between "too few" and "too little"?

"Too few" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "too few people"), while "too little" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "too little time").

What can I say instead of "too few"?

You can use alternatives like "not enough", "insufficient number", or "a shortage of" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "very few" instead of "too few"?

Yes, "very few" is a grammatically correct alternative to "too few", although it may not always convey the same sense of inadequacy. "Too few" often implies a negative consequence due to the lack, whereas "very few" simply indicates a small quantity.