A little or a few, little or few
A little, a few, very little, very few
The expressions a little and a few mean some or enough.
The expressions (very) little and (very) few mean hardly any or not enough.
A little, a few, (very) little and (very) few are quantifiers
Study the following examples:
Examples | Meaning |
---|---|
I've got a little money. I'm going to the cinema. | some/enough |
I've got a few friends. We meet everyday. | |
I've got (very) little money. I need to borrow some. | hardly any / not enough |
I've got (very) few friends. I need to make new friends. |
The rules:
Affirmative sentences:
A little, a few, (very) little and (very) few are generally used in affirmative statements, not negatives or questions.Countable and uncountable nouns:
- A little and (very) little are used with uncountable nouns (money, bread, water...)
- A few and (very) few are used with countable nouns (friends, tables, teachers..)
(See more about countable and uncountable nouns here.)
Meaning:
- A little and a few mean: some or enough.
Example:
"I have got a little money" = I have got some money. It's enough for me to do what I want.
"I have got a few friends" = I have got some or enough friends. We meet every day. - (Very) little and (very) few mean; hardly any or not enough.
Examples:I have got (very) little money = I have got hardly any. I haven't got enough. I'll borrow some from my friend.
I have got (very) few friends = I have got hardly any. I haven't got enough. I need to make new friends.
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