Few vs a few; litte vs a little

 

 

A little

A little is used with positive quantity and non-countable nouns. It means “a small amoun” or “some”.

Examples:

• There is a little milk in the refrigerator
• Would you like a little water?
• Mary got a little bit of pie.
• Can’t you discount it a little?

 

Little

Little expresses a diminutive size or a negative quantity. Little means “almost nothing” or “not much”.

Examples:

• I’m sorry, I speak little French.
• There was little time to finish my homework.
• The kitteen is little.
• I have drunk little water this morning.

A few

A few represents a positive quantity. It is used with plural nouns. It means some, a small amoun.

A few + Plural Countable Nouns

Examples;

• He has a few good friends so he is happy.
• There are a few books on the shelf.
• We stayed a few days in Paris and visited the Eiffel Tower.

Few

Few represents a negative quantity or shortage. It is used with plural countable nouns. It means not many, not enough.

Few + Plural Countable Nouns

Examples:

• I have got few friends in the city so I am lonely.
• They have got few cake on the table.
• He has few photos on Instagram.

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Ex. 3

 

Ex. 4

 

Quantifiers

Expressions of quantity tell us how many or how much of something there is.

Types of Quantifiers

They can describe:

• Large quantities: a lot, much, many.
• Small quantities: a little, a bit, a few.
• Undefined quantities: some, any.
• Sufficient amount: enough, plenty.

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We use a little and much only with non-countable nouns like money, snow, pollution etc.

We use a few and many only with countable nouns like people, cars, books etc.

Let’s take a look at some expressions of quantity that are used with both countable and non-countable nouns:

Countable and Non-countable Expressions of Quantity

Any

Countable: There aren’t any cookies left. (negative) / Are there any cookies left? (question)

Non-countable: There isn’t any water in the cup. (negative) / Is there any water in the cup? (question)

No

Countable: There are no dogs in the park.

Non-countable: There is no money in my wallet.

Some

Countable: Some children study here in the mornings. (affirmative)

Non-countable: There is some noise coming from that house. (affirmative)

More

Countable: There are more students in this school than in that other one.

Non-countable: There is more crime in poor countries than in rich countries.

A lot of / lots of

Countable: She has a lot of / lots of pets.

Non-countable: There’s a lot of / lots of traffic in my city.

Plenty of

Countable: There are plenty of cars on the street.

Non-countable: There is plenty of food in the fridge.

Most

Countable: She keeps most of her books in her backpack.

Non-countable: We spent the most time on the renovations.

All

Countable: Who ate all the oranges?

Non-countable: Jessica is the one with all the experience.

Enough

Countable: There aren’t enough cookies for everyone, we need to buy some more.

Non-countable: There is enough space for both of us.

Click on the exercises below to practice quantity expressions:

             First English

                                    Agenda Web

                                                                 Quiz

Countable and uncountable nouns

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