very few things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very few things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that there are only a small number of items or instances in a particular context. Example: "In my experience, very few things can compare to the joy of spending time with family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I do very few things.

The New York Times - Arts

Very few things count as Art.

The Guardian - Arts

I've seen very few things in surgery go that fast.

Stanford University

"The first was that very few things are important.

The New York Times

Very few things have a permanent, devastating effect.

Harvard Business Review

So there are very few things that I worry about.

The Washington Post

There are very few things I see that surprise me.

The New York Times - Magazine

If you're strict about it, so very few things count.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There were so very few things for us to do.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She did very few things in a ball gown".

The New York Times - Sports

They always subtract until very few things remain.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very few things", consider the context to ensure the phrase accurately conveys the intended degree of scarcity or limitation. Adding specific details can enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "very few things" as a vague placeholder. Instead, provide context or examples to illustrate what specific items or aspects are limited. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very few things" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun. It indicates a small quantity of items or entities. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase effectively conveys scarcity or limitation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very few things" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that denotes a limited quantity or scarcity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use across various contexts, from news reports to academic papers. While alternatives exist, "very few things" remains a clear and effective way to convey the idea of something being rare or limited. Its widespread usage is evidenced by its presence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small number of items

Emphasizes the limited quantity of items, focusing on the count.

not many objects

Highlights the scarcity of objects, using a more general term.

hardly any items

Stresses the lack of items, indicating near absence.

scant few objects

Uses "scant" to emphasize the insufficiency or inadequacy of the objects.

a handful of things

Implies a small, easily manageable number of things.

just a few objects

Highlights that the number of objects is minimal and limited.

a minority of things

Focuses on the proportion of things being small compared to a larger set.

precious few things

Indicates that the small number of things are particularly valuable or important.

a trickle of items

Implies a slow or inconsistent flow of items, suggesting scarcity over time.

a sparse amount of objects

Emphasizes the widely scattered and thinly distributed nature of the objects.

FAQs

How can I use "very few things" in a sentence?

You can use "very few things" to indicate a small number or quantity, such as "Very few things matter as much as family" or "Very few things surprise me anymore".

What are some alternatives to saying "very few things"?

Alternatives include "a small number of items", "not many objects", "hardly any items", or "a handful of things", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "few things" or "very few things"?

Both "few things" and "very few things" are correct, but "very few things" emphasizes the limited quantity more strongly. The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis in your sentence.

What's the difference between "very few things" and "not many things"?

"Very few things" suggests a more extreme scarcity than "not many things". While both indicate a limited quantity, "very few things" implies that the number is exceptionally small or almost nonexistent, as opposed to simply being less than expected with "not many things".