Few / a few, little / a little
Few / a few, little / a little are quantifiers.
Here is how to use them correctly:
| Few / a few | ||
| A few is more than few. | ||
| We use a few and few + a plural countable noun. | few people, few books, few letters a few people, a few books, a few letters | |
| A few is a positive idea. | Fortunately, our financial situation is good: we still have a few good customers. | |
| Few is a negative idea. It means 'almost none'. We can also use very few. | I'm very sad: I have few good friends. I'm very sad: I have very few good friends. (Both these sentences mean I don't have many good friends - I would like to have more.) | |
| A few and few have irregular comparative and superlative forms. | few - fewer - the fewest a few - more - the most | |
| Little / a little | ||
| A little is more than little. | ||
| We use a little and little + an uncountable noun. | a little time, a little food, a little money little time, little food, little money | |
| A little is a positive idea. It means 'some but not much'. | Compare: I can help you: I speak a little English. | |
| Little is a negative idea. It means 'nearly none, nearly nothing'. We can also use very little. | I can't help you. I speak little English. I can't help you. I speak very little English.(Both these sentences mean My English is bad. I would like to speak English better.) | |
| A little and little have irregular comparative and superlative forms. | little - less - the least a little - more - the most | |
1- In each space put one of the following:
few - a few - little - a little
1. If you have __________ time, could you come and have a look at my
computer. It's not working very well.
2. She is quite poor. Ever since she lost her job last year, she's had
__________ money.
3. I don't want any more wine, thank you. I have __________ here.
4. Jack has __________ friends and is often at home alone. I worry about him,
you know.
5. You know __________ people here, don't you? I'll leave you to chat.
6. That new employee is great. She asked me __________ questions at the
start and, since then, seems to need __________ help. A very independent
type!
7. I have __________ patience for your stupid questions Smithers. Now tell
me what you want and stop wasting my time.
8. Add __________ salt to the soup. It needs it!
9. "How many extra chairs do you need for the dinner tonight?" "__________.
We have almost all the chairs we need."
Answer Key: 1-a little, 2-little, 3-a little, 4-few, 5-a few, 6-a few/ little, 7-little, 8-a little, 9-few.
