What is the difference between few and a few?

What is the difference between few and a few?

Few means "not many (people or things)." It is used to say that there are not a lot of people or things. A few means "some (people or things)." It is used to say that there are a small number of people or things.

Which is correct only few or only a few?

“Only a few” is correct, and means what you think it means. “Only few” sounds wrong. It would usually be used by people who don't realise that “few” already carries the connotation of “too few”, “fewer than expected”, or “barely any, perhaps none.” It's a strong statement.

Which is negative few or a few?

The overall difference is that 'a few' is positive while 'few' is negative. When there are 'a few', then there are enough. When there are 'few', then there are not enough.

Where do we use few?

Few is used with plural nouns. It indicates a small number of something. There were few children in the class.

Is a few more than few?

Few, when used without a preceding 'a', means "very few" or "none at all". On the other hand, a few is used to indicate "not a large number". The difference is subtle, yet there are instances where the two can mean completely opposite things.

Is a few 2 or 3?

While many would agree that few means three or more, the dictionary definition is, “not many but more than one.” So, a few cannot be one, but it can be as low as two.

Were a few or was a few?

When we eliminate “a few” (not a noun) the sentence still makes sense, and we see that the modified noun is “updates” not “a few.” Since the modified noun is plural, we use a plural modifier: There were a few updates.

Which is correct little food or few food?

Use little with a noncount noun in a positive sentence to indicate a small insufficient quantity. There is little food in the refrigerator. Use few with a plural count noun in a positive sentence to indicate a small insufficient number. There are few snacks in the refrigerator.

Is few for countable or uncountable?

Few is for countable nouns and very little is for uncountable nouns. Few people came to the meeting. There are few places where you can still see these birds. We have very little time.

What is the difference between a couple and a few?

• The main difference between a couple and a few is that a couple is used to indicate a small number or amount of something, but usually at least two or more (generally, not more than 5) whereas a few may indicate a small number ranging from minimum 3 to even 10. A couple and a few are quantifiers we use to specify amounts of certain things.

What is the difference between many and several?

• Difference between Many and Several. Key difference: ‘Many’ and ‘several’ are two terms that are used to denote quantity. However, the two terms differ in the manner that they can be used. Both the terms indicate a large, indefinite amount of something. ‘Many’ is mainly used with countable nouns, such as person, apple, spoon, day, etc.

What number is considered a few?

• While many people would agree that "a few" means three or more, the actual dictionary definition of "a few" is, "not many but more than one.". So, "a few" cannot be one, but it can be as low as two.

What is considered a few?

• But in phrases like “a few” or “some few,” according to the dictionary, it implies the opposite of “none at all.” As examples of the two usages, the OED cites these constructions: “few, or perhaps none,” and “a few, or perhaps many.” There are several idiomatic variations on this theme.