Do you want to know how to say “to name a few” in different situations?
Well, this is the article for you!
If you’re worried the phrase is overused or repetitive, we’re here to help.
We’ll show you different ways to say “to name a few” to keep things as interesting as possible.
Other Ways to Say “To Name a Few”
- To cite some examples
- Among others
- Including but not limited to
- For instance
- Such as
- To mention a couple
- To illustrate
- And so on
- Etcetera
- To give a few examples
- Namely
- In particular
- As examples
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “To name a few” is a great way to give limited information about a list without overexplaining it.
- “To cite some examples” is a fantastic formal synonym that’ll help you to sound more professional.
- “Among others” works really well if you’re looking for something more informal.
Read on to learn how to say “to name a few” professionally and conversationally. We’ve touched on both contexts in the following headings to show you how the synonyms work with different tones.
You can also read the last section to find out if it’s correct to say “to name a few.” It might be worth skipping ahead if you think that’ll be more applicable to your situation.
To Cite Some Examples (Formal)
Feel free to use “to cite some examples” as a formal way to say “to name a few.”
It’s a great choice in professional contexts when you can source the information you’re writing about.
Using the word “cite” means you’re referring to an original source. Therefore, it’s only appropriate to use something like this when you have good references.
Try using it when emailing your employer. It’s a good opportunity for you to show how confident you are in your knowledge of a situation.
You can also review this example to learn a bit more:
Dear Ms. Borrows,
These are the results I found upon researching The Time Foundation and Wiltshire Co., to cite some examples.
Please review them and let me know what you think.
Yours,
Tom Bradshaw
It’s also an excellent choice in academic writing.
After all, most readers of essays expect you to be able to cite your sources. Therefore, this phrase will work wonders when helping you prove where you got your data from.
Check out this example to learn more about it:
This data came from Jon James, Paul Redford, and The Test, to cite some examples. The studies were carried out in 2022.
Among Others (Informal)
For something a bit more informal, try “among others.” It’s another way to say “to name a few” that sounds a bit more conversational.
We recommend using this when you want to put less pressure on your sources.
You don’t need to list everything when writing informally. Sometimes, you just need to include the basic information to help readers understand what you’re trying to say.
So, you can include this when emailing a coworker.
Check out this email sample if you need to understand it better:
Hey Marcus,
We will host the event with some wine, a selection of cheeses, and small refreshments, among others.
Let me know if that’s too extravagant, though!
Best wishes,
Carla Sinclair
You can also use this when messaging employees outside of the workplace. It might be worth running a short list of attendees for an event by a trusted employee to see if you’ve forgotten someone.
Check out the following message sample to learn more:
I can invite Craig, Billy, and Hannah, among others. Of course, I’m drawing a blank on some names, so please let me know if you think of anyone.
Is It Correct to Say “To Name a Few”?
It is correct to say “to name a few.” It’s used as a way to list only a few parts of a much longer list to keep the reader interested and keep your writing brief.
It’s also formal. So, it works really well in most formal mediums when sharing a small list.
Check out this email sample to learn how to use “to name a few” in a sentence:
Dear Team,
We are working alongside Jefferson, Peters, and The Tide Co., to name a few.
Please make them feel welcome when they arrive.
Yours,
Clark Bennett
You should include a comma before the phrase when you use it. If it comes after the list, it’s always appropriate to place a comma beforehand to show that it’s linked.
It’s most common to end the sentence with the phrase.
For instance:
Go for options one, two, and three, to name a few.
However, you can switch it around and start a sentence with it if necessary. For example:
To name a few, we can do it on Thursday, Friday, or Sunday.
It’s also possible to use this extension:
- Just to name a few
“Just” makes it sound a bit more informal.
So, check out this example to see how to use “just to name a few” in a sentence:
Just to name a few, I think we should go over Q1, Q2, and Q3. I don’t think we need to worry about the rest yet!
You should also bookmark this page to remind yourself of the best synonyms for “to name a few.” Then, you will always have something to fall back on when you run out of ideas.