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.)
