a small number of (a few)

Writers often reach for "a small number of" when "a few" would be clearer. The two phrases differ in tone, precision, and verb agreement. Use this page as a compact reference: quick rules, concrete rewrites, and many examples to scan and apply.

Quick answer

Use "a few" for a small, definite count in everyday writing. Use "a small number of" when you want formality or deliberate vagueness. Remember: "a small number of + plural noun" takes a plural verb.

"A few students" = friendly, definite small group.
"A small number of" = formal, intentionally imprecise; pair with a plural verb.
"Few" (no "a") = negative tone: almost none.

Core explanation: what each phrase does

"A few" signals a small but countable group: enough to matter or act on. Example: "A few students volunteered" implies several did, and you might list them.

"A small number of" emphasizes vagueness or distance. It belongs in reports, press statements, or when the speaker wants to downplay the size without committing to specifics.

"A few" = small, definite, direct.
"A small number of" = small, indefinite, formal or evasive.

Wrong: A small number of students attended the lecture.
Right: A few students attended the lecture.

Grammar notes: countability and verb agreement

"A few" and "few" attach to countable nouns. "A few" is neutral/positive; "few" highlights scarcity. Both take plural verbs when they are the subject.

"A small number of + plural noun" also takes a plural verb: "A small number of employees are on leave." By contrast, "the number of" is singular: "The number of errors was small."

'A few' + plural noun → plural verb (A few students are...).
'A small number of' + plural noun → plural verb (A small number of reports were filed).
'The number of' + plural noun → singular verb (The number of errors was low).

Wrong: There was a small number of errors in the report.
Right: There were a small number of errors in the report.
Wrong: Few students turned the assignment in. (sounds critical)
Right: A few students turned the assignment in. (neutral)

Hyphenation and spacing: when to join words

Do not hyphenate "a small number of" when it modifies a noun phrase after the article: "A small number of students attended." Hyphenation is rarely needed and often awkward.

Correct: "A small number of students attended." (no hyphen)
Avoid: "a small-number study" - better: "a study of a small number of participants" or "a small study".
If clarity needs a compound modifier, pick a clear adjective ("small", "limited") rather than inventing "small-number".

Usage: Avoid: a small-number trial → Better: a trial with a small number of participants or a small trial.

Real usage and tone: choose by audience

Pick "a small number of" for formal reports, compliance language, and contexts where you want to soften bad news. Choose "a few" for emails, conversations, and blog posts to sound natural.

If you want to signal certainty, use a specific count: "three students" is clearer than either vague phrase.

'A small number of' = formal, can soften bad news.
'A few' = direct, reader-friendly, better in short sentences.
When in doubt for clarity, name the number.

Work: A few team members will present at the client meeting.
Work: We received a small number of complaints about the new UI; the team is investigating.
Work: A small number of projects are on hold this quarter.
School: A few students qualified for the regional competition.
School: A small number of students failed to submit the lab report on time.
School: Few students enjoyed the surprise exam (negative tone).
Casual: A few friends popped in for coffee last night.
Casual: A small number of people showed up to the free screening-maybe the weather kept people away.
Casual: Few people want to work overtime for free; that sentence sounds critical.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context clarifies whether formality, vagueness, or a direct count is appropriate.

Examples: common wrong/right pairs you'll see

These pairs show typical edits. Some wrong forms are grammatically acceptable but stylistically awkward.

Wrong: A small number of students attended the lecture. -
Right: A few students attended the lecture.
Wrong: There was a small number of errors in the report. -
Right: There were a small number of errors in the report.
Wrong: A small number of employees is on leave this week. -
Right: A small number of employees are on leave this week.
Wrong: Few students passed the exam. -
Right: A few students passed the exam.
Wrong: A small number of people has reported the bug. -
Right: A few people have reported the bug.
Wrong: A small number of applicants was accepted. -
Right: A small number of applicants were accepted.

Rewrite help: how to fix your sentence step by step

Use these quick checks and paste-ready rewrites.

Step 1: Can you name a specific number? If yes, use it: "three students."
Step 2: Choose tone - formal ("a small number of") or conversational ("a few").
Step 3: Ensure verb agreement: use plural verbs with "a small number of + plural noun".

Rewrite:
Wrong: There was a small number of typos. →
Right: There were a few typos.
Rewrite:
Wrong: A small number of participants was excluded. →
Right: A few participants were excluded.
Rewrite:
Wrong: A small number of complaints were filed. →
Right: Three complaints were filed (if known) or: A few complaints were filed.

Memory trick: a quick way to remember

Mnemonic: "Few = almost none; A few = some; A small number = formal some." When in doubt for readability, reach for "a few." When you need detachment or formality, use "a small number" and keep the verb plural.

A few = friendly and usually the right choice.
Few (no "a") = emphasizes scarcity.

Similar mistakes to watch for

These common confusions often appear in the same documents-check them together.

'A small amount of' is for uncountable nouns and is incorrect with countables: wrong: "A small amount of students".
'A number of' usually takes a plural verb and means "several".
'The number of' is singular and takes a singular verb: "The number of errors was high."

Wrong: A small amount of students passed the exam. -
Right: A small number of students passed, or better: A few students passed.

FAQ

When should I use "a few" vs "few"?

'A few' means some (positive); 'few' means almost none (negative). Use 'a few' when you mean a small usable number; use 'few' to stress scarcity.

Does "a small number of" take a singular or plural verb?

It takes a plural verb: "A small number of students are absent." "The number of..." is singular: "The number of absent students is high."

Is "a small number of students" wrong?

No-it's grammatically acceptable and fits formal contexts. In informal writing, "a few students" is usually clearer.

Can I write "a small-number sample" with a hyphen?

That's awkward. Rephrase: "a sample of a small number of participants" or "a small sample."

How do I quickly fix sentences that use "a small number of"?

Ask: can I supply a specific number? If yes, use it. If not, pick tone: informal → "a few"; formal → "a small number of" and check plural verbs. A grammar tool can speed these checks and suggest rewrites.

Want a second pair of eyes?

If you're unsure whether to use "a few" or "a small number of," paste the sentence into a grammar checker for instant rewrites and verb-agreement hints. A quick pass can improve tone and clarity before you send or publish.