What do they mean?
Use a few with countable plural nouns when you mean some, enough, or a small positive number. Use few when you mean not many, almost none, or fewer than expected.
I have a few friends.
I have few friends.
A few apples are enough.
Few apples are left.
Ask: enough or not enough?
A fewI have a few coins.Some coins, enough to use.
FewI have few coins.Not many, maybe not enough.
Countable plurala few books, few studentsUse with things you can count.
Use a few for a small positive number.
A few biscuitsThere are a few biscuits.Good: we can eat some.
A few minutesWait a few minutes.A short time.
A few ideasI have a few ideas.Some ideas.
Use few for a small negative number.
Few biscuitsThere are few biscuits left.Bad: almost none.
Few peopleFew people came to the show.Not many came.
Few answersFew answers were correct.Lower than expected.
Use a few and few with countable plural nouns.
Correcta few books
few pencilsBooks and pencils can be counted.
few pencilsBooks and pencils can be counted.
Not correcta few water
few riceUse a little/little for uncountable nouns.
few riceUse a little/little for uncountable nouns.
Plural nouna few child? no
a few children? yesUse plural form.
a few children? yesUse plural form.
A few is close to some.
A few students helped.Some students helped.Positive or neutral.
A few days laterAfter some days.Small amount of time.
A few moreCan I have a few more?Some more.
Few often sounds disappointing.
Few students helped.Not many students helped.Disappointing.
Few shops were open.Almost no shops were open.Problem.
Few people understood.Not many understood.Negative feeling.
Compare with a little / little.
Countablea few apples
few applesUse with plural countable nouns.
few applesUse with plural countable nouns.
Uncountablea little water
little waterUse with uncountable nouns.
little waterUse with uncountable nouns.
Meaninga few/a little = some
few/little = not much/manyPositive vs negative.
few/little = not much/manyPositive vs negative.
Common mistakes.
CorrectI have a few books.
I have few books.Both grammar forms are correct.
I have few books.Both grammar forms are correct.
Meaning changesa few books = some books
few books = not many booksSmall word, big meaning.
few books = not many booksSmall word, big meaning.
Carefula few money? no
a little money? yesMoney is usually uncountable.
a little money? yesMoney is usually uncountable.
Choose the correct form.
I have ___ coins, so I can buy a snack.
Choose the correct form.
___ students passed the hard test.
Choose the correct form.
There is ___ water in the bottle.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the best sentence.
Which sentence sounds negative?
Choose the best sentence.
Fill five blanks.
Choose the correct expression. Think about countable nouns and positive or negative meaning.
I invited friends, so we can play a game.
people came to the show, so the hall looked empty.
There is juice left if you are thirsty.
There is time left, so hurry.
We need chairs for the guests.
Mixed question types of 5
Answer all five. Then tap Finish test to see your result sheet.
1. Sentence completion
I have ___ questions, and then I understand.
2. MCQ
Which sentence means not many people understood?
3. Type the answer
There were ___ seats left, so we had to stand.
4. Type the answer
Can I have ___ more grapes?
5. MCQ
Which sentence is correct for an uncountable noun?
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