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Quantifiers help us express the quantity or amount of something. Two commonly used sets of quantifiers are ‘a little and a few,’ along with their counterparts ‘(very) little and (very) few.’ In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how these expressions differ and when to use them appropriately.
A little or a few, little or few
What is the difference between “a little“, “a few“, “very little“, and “very few“?
A little, a few, (very) little, and (very) few are quantifiers:
- The expressions a little and a few mean some or enough.
- The expressions (very) little and (very) few mean hardly any or not enough.
1. A Little and A Few: Some or Enough
- Example: “I’ve got a little money. I’m going to the cinema.”
- Meaning: In affirmative statements, ‘a little’ and ‘a few’ convey the idea of having some or enough of something. Whether it’s money or friends, these quantifiers indicate a satisfactory amount for the speaker’s needs.
| Examples | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I’ve got a few friends. We meet every day. I’ve got a little money. I can buy an ice cream. | I have some or enough |
2. (Very) Little and (Very) Few: Hardly Any or Not Enough
- Example: “I’ve got (very) little money. I need to borrow some.”
- Meaning: Conversely, ‘(very) little’ and ‘(very) few’ suggest a scarcity or insufficiency. These quantifiers express the idea that the speaker has hardly any or not enough of what is being discussed.
| Examples | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I’ve got (very) few friends. I need to make new friends. I’ve got (very) little money. I need to borrow some. | I have hardly any or I do not have enough |
3. Affirmative Sentences: The Rules
‘A little,’ ‘a few,’ ‘(very) little,’ and ‘(very) few’ are generally used in affirmative statements rather than in negatives or questions.
4. Countable and Uncountable Nouns: Choosing the Right Quantifier
- Guideline: ‘A little’ and ‘(very) little’ are appropriate for uncountable nouns (money, bread, water), while ‘a few’ and ‘(very) few’ are suitable for countable nouns (friends, tables, teachers).
- 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.
Resource: If you’re unsure about the distinction between countable and uncountable nouns, refer to our guide on countable and uncountable nouns.
5. Putting It All Together: Examples
- “I have got (very) little time” = I have got hardly any. I haven’t got enough. I need to hurry up.
- “I have got (very) few ideas” = I have got hardly any. I haven’t got enough. I need to conduct more research.
Here are more examples:
A Little:
- I have a little money for snacks.
- She showed a little interest in the new book.
- Can you spare a little time for a quick chat?
A Few:
- I have a few friends coming over for dinner.
- There are a few apples left in the basket.
- She needs a few more minutes to finish the task.
(Very) Little:
- I have very little patience for long queues.
- There is very little sugar left in the jar.
- She has very little experience in rock climbing.
(Very) Few:
- I have very few reasons to skip the event.
- There are very few seats available for the concert.
- She has very few books on her shelf.
Remember:
- A little and a few mean some or enough.
- Examples:
- “I have got a little money” = I have got some money. It is 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.
- Examples:
- (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.
- Examples:
More on the difference between a little and a few here.
In conclusion
In short, if you have “a little” or “a few,” it means you have some or enough. But if you say “little” or “few,” it means you have hardly any. Understanding this difference helps you express how much of something you have more clearly.