What do they mean?
Use a little with uncountable nouns when you mean some, enough, or a small positive amount. Use little when you mean not much, almost none, or less than expected.
I have a little time.
I have little time.
A little water is enough.
Little water is left.
Ask: enough or not enough?
A littleI have a little money.Some money, enough to use.
LittleI have little money.Not much, maybe not enough.
Uncountablea little water, little timeUse with things we do not count one by one.
Use a little for a small positive amount.
A little milkThere is a little milk.Good: we can drink some.
A little timeWe have a little time.Some time.
A little helpI need a little help.Some help.
Use little for a small negative amount.
Little milkThere is little milk left.Bad: almost none.
Little timeWe have little time.Not much time.
Little hopeThere is little hope.Less than expected.
Use a little and little with uncountable nouns.
Correcta little water
little riceWater and rice are uncountable here.
little riceWater and rice are uncountable here.
Not correcta little books
little pencilsUse a few/few for countable plural nouns.
little pencilsUse a few/few for countable plural nouns.
Singular ideaa little money is
little information isUsually singular verb.
little information isUsually singular verb.
A little is close to some.
A little sugar helps.Some sugar helps.Positive or neutral.
A little laterAfter a short time.Small amount of time.
A little moreCan I have a little more?Some more.
Little often sounds worrying.
Little water remains.Not much water remains.Problem.
Little food was left.Almost no food was left.Worrying.
Little progress was made.Not much progress happened.Negative feeling.
Compare with a little / little.
Uncountablea little water
little waterUse with uncountable nouns.
little waterUse with uncountable nouns.
Countablea few apples
few applesUse with plural countable nouns.
few applesUse with plural countable 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 little money.
I have little money.Both grammar forms are correct.
I have little money.Both grammar forms are correct.
Meaning changesa little money = some money
little money = not much moneySmall word, big meaning.
little money = not much moneySmall word, big meaning.
Carefula little coins? no
a few coins? yesCoins are countable.
a few coins? yesCoins are countable.
Choose the correct form.
I have ___ money, so I can buy a snack.
Choose the correct form.
There is ___ food left, so we should buy more.
Choose the correct form.
There are ___ apples in the basket.
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 uncountable nouns and positive or negative meaning.
There is juice left if you are thirsty.
There is time left, so hurry.
I invited friends, so we can play a game.
people came to the show, so the hall looked empty.
Can I have more rice?
Mixed question types of 5
Answer all five. Then tap Finish test to see your result sheet.
1. Sentence completion
I need ___ help with this question.
2. MCQ
Which sentence means not much progress happened?
3. Type the answer
There is ___ hope, so everyone is worried.
4. Type the answer
Can I have ___ more soup?
5. MCQ
Which sentence is correct for a countable plural noun?
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