we exchanged few words

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we exchanged few words" is not correct in standard English; it should be "we exchanged a few words." You can use it when describing a brief conversation or interaction with someone.
Example: "At the party, we exchanged a few words about our recent travels."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I was introduced to him and we exchanged few words.

Springer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They exchanged few words at first, only knowing smiles.

The New York Times - Sports

He exchanged few words with the customer, who handed over $15.50 and a $2 tip.

The New York Times

They exchanged few words; just an occasional "no," or "again," or "tone".

The New York Times

But for 40 years, until a surprise reconciliation a month ago, these men with Texas-size egos exchanged few words, even on those rare occasions when they were in the same room.

The New York Times - Health

He looked me up and down and we exchanged a few words.

The Guardian

We exchanged a few words, and my thoughts reverted to the several times we had met before this, speaking for no more than five minutes each time.

The New York Times

"We exchanged a few words when we both did a charity event a couple of months ago but sorry was not among them.

The Guardian - Sport

We exchanged a few words about our respective cats, but all I really remember is how happy she was to see me, and how happy I was to see her, and how sure I was that I'd see her again.

The New Yorker

Sometimes, we exchanged a few words, then continued on, traveling silently to our private respective spots.

Huffington Post

We exchanged a few words and I expressed disappointment that Fariña did not speak out more forcefully for good education.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a few words" instead of "few words" to ensure grammatical correctness. This small adjustment significantly improves clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The most common mistake is omitting the article "a" before "few". Remember that "few" without "a" implies "not many" or "almost none", changing the intended meaning. Instead, use "a few" to indicate a small number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we exchanged few words" functions as a narrative element, describing a brief interaction. Ludwig AI suggests that it is grammatically incorrect and should be replaced with the version including the article "a": "we exchanged a few words".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we exchanged few words" is generally considered grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "we exchanged a few words". According to Ludwig AI, the inclusion of the article "a" is crucial for grammatical accuracy. The phrase, even in its incorrect form, aims to describe a brief interaction or short conversation. The examples found come from varied sources like news and science, but the advice is to always use the grammatically correct version for clear communication. Alternatives such as "we had a brief conversation" or "we shared a few remarks" can also be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had a brief conversation

Replaces the original phrase with a more standard and grammatically sound expression.

we exchanged a few remarks

Similar in meaning, but uses "remarks" instead of "words" and includes the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

we shared a few words

Emphasizes the sharing of words, maintaining a similar level of brevity.

we spoke briefly

Focuses on the act of speaking, highlighting the short duration of the conversation.

we chatted for a moment

Implies a slightly more informal and friendly interaction.

we had a quick word

Uses "word" in the singular to denote a short exchange.

we passed a few words

Suggests a casual and fleeting exchange of words.

we made small talk

Highlights the superficial nature of the conversation.

we touched base

Implies a brief check-in or update.

we communicated briefly

A more formal way of saying they had a short conversation.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "we exchanged few words"?

The grammatically correct way is to say "we exchanged "a few words"". The inclusion of the article "a" is crucial for proper grammar.

What does "we exchanged a few words" mean?

It means that two or more people had a brief conversation or interaction, sharing a small number of words.

What are some alternatives to "we exchanged a few words"?

You can use alternatives like "we had a brief conversation", "we shared "a few remarks"", or "we spoke briefly".

Is "we exchanged few words" ever acceptable?

While technically incorrect, some might understand the intended meaning. However, it's always best to use the grammatically correct "we exchanged "a few words"" to avoid confusion.