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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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To name but a few

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to name but a few" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when referring to a list of items, usually a list of examples that are meant to illustrate a larger group or idea. For example, "The student council is responsible for organizing events, fundraising activities, and overseeing student services, to name but a few."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To name but a few.

News & Media

The New York Times

And emerald green, to name but a few.

News & Media

The New York Times

J. Mills canvas totes -- to name but a few.

News & Media

The New York Times

(Slices, shanks, and tops, to name but a few of the rascals).

News & Media

The New Yorker

EM Forster, Vera Brittain, HG Wells and AA Milne, to name but a few.

David Lynch, Samuel Fuller, John Cassavetes – and Woody Allen, to name but a few.

Facundo Sava, Leandro Lázaro, Kily González and Ariel Ortega, to name but a few.

The K.K.K. and the swastika, to name but a few, invoke fear and revulsion among millions.

News & Media

The New York Times

Suggestions have included Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt, Rosa Luxemburg, to name but a few".

In Derbyshire county, Rhonda, St Thomas's to name but a few.

News & Media

The Guardian

Among scientists, certain attitudes, beliefs, and values have traditionally fostered virtuous behavior—hard work, perseverance, respect for others, collegiality, objectivity, and honesty, to name but a few.

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Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

When using "to name but a few", ensure that the items you list are representative of a larger, unmentioned group. This provides context and avoids misleading the reader.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "to name but a few" when you're actually listing all relevant items. This can create the false impression that there are more examples than you've provided.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to name but a few" functions as a discourse marker. It signals that the speaker or writer is providing a non-exhaustive list of examples. This signals to the audience that there are additional items that could be included but are not being specified.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

1%

⚠ Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to name but a few" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression. Ludwig AI confirms it is generally employed to signal that the listed examples are a small selection from a larger group of possibilities. It functions as a discourse marker to indicate a non-exhaustive list, most commonly appearing in news and media contexts. When using this expression, it's important to ensure that the listed items genuinely represent a broader set to avoid misleading readers. Alternatives such as "to mention a few examples" or "to list some notable cases" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "to name but a few" in a sentence?

Use "to name but a few" after listing some examples to indicate that there are more unmentioned items in the same category. For example: "The museum features paintings, sculptures, and photographs, "to name but a few"."

What are some alternatives to "to name but a few"?

Alternatives include "to mention a few examples", "to cite several instances", or "to list some notable cases", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "to name but a few"?

Yes, it's incorrect if you are actually providing a complete list. The phrase implies there are other examples that you are not mentioning.

What's the difference between "to name a few" and "to name but a few"?

"To name a few" is a more general way of indicating that you're providing a partial list. "To name "but a few"" emphasizes the limited number of examples you are providing.

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: