Hello student!
Last week we reviewed adverbs of quantity, such as “many”, “much” and “a lot”. We also had a quick look at “a little”. However, many students often confuse “a little” with “little” and “a few” with “few”. They seem to mean the same thing, but they do not. Let’s see the definition of each one…
Definitions
A little – a small amount or quantity. Not much but some.
Little – in a very small amount or degree. Not very often.
A few – not many but some.
Few – not many.
As you can see, we use “few” and “a few” for countable nouns and “little” and “a little” for uncountable. When we add “a” we increase the quantity. So, we can have “few problems” which means almost no problems; or we can have “a few problems”, which means we have several problems.
Examples
Read the following sentences to understand these adverbs better. Make sure you see the difference between each pair of examples:
“I have a little money, maybe we can go for one drink”
“I have little money, we will have to wait until next week to go out”
“Maria sleeps little and almost never eats, I do not know how she survives!”
“Maria sleeps a little every afternoon, she loves having a nap!”
“Unfortunately, Sheela understands very little in physics class”
“Sheela is doing ok in class, she understands a little, although not everything”
“Few people came to the meeting”
“A few people will be coming to the meeting, we must get enough chairs”
“There are very few apples left, we have to buy more”
“There are a few apples left, we could make an apple pie!”
“I believe few of the stories in the news are true”
“I believe a few of the stories in the news are true, but not all of them”
Do you have any questions? Ask us in the comments’ section below!
Did you enjoy this lesson? TWEET IT OUT: With @abaenglish, I now understand how a little, little, a few and few are used #esl
Unfortunately, Sheela understands….
(-s missing in the example)
is it really free
Hi Patricia, the ABA English course can be free or not. If you subscribe for free you will be able to access all the interactive grammar and you will receive a videoclass every day. If you choose to pay, you will be able to access the whole course.
You can subscribe for free here: http://www.abaenglish.com/en/?partnerid=5006
Thanks! It’s corrected
Hello My English Teacher Graham Thank you so much for the English lesson which you sent me i enjoy the English studying , I am also very much improving in writing and speaking Thank you so much Have a nice weekend
Chandra
Can we say (it must needs repair the car . )
Hi Mohammed!
No, we have to say “The car needs to be repaired” or “The car must be repaired”.
Why use “news stories” in the last example? Thanks. I realy enjoy this Blog.
Hi Hartine! Thanks!
We simply used it as an example.
HI GRAHAM WEEKS,my ENGLISH TEACHER.
THANKS A LOT FOR THIS INTERESTING LESSONS.
I WAS ALSO A TEACHER IN ROMANIA,and I PARTICULARLY APPRECIATE SPECIAL LESSONS
WITH NECESSARY EXPLANATIONS.
I STILL NEED THEM,AND ENJOY THIS LESSON.
WISH YOU A NICE WEEKEND,AND YOUR TEAM!
MARIA
HI GRAHAM WEEKS,my ENGLISH TEACHER.
THANKS A LOT FOR THIS INTERESTING LESSONS.
I WAS ALSO A TEACHER IN ROMANIA,and I PARTICULARLY APPRECIATE SPECIAL LESSONS
WITH NECESSARY EXPLANATIONS.
I STILL NEED THEM,AND ENJOY THIS LESSON.
WISH YOU A NICE WEEKEND,AND YOUR TEAM!
MARIA
i enjoy this website because it helps me to improve my english speaking skills and how to use the right words in writing.
Hi Francesca,
Thanks for your nice feedback. I’m glad that the site is helping you to improve. Keep up the good work
i enjoy this website because it helps me to improve my english speaking skills and how to use the right words in writing.
Hi Francesca,
Thanks for your nice feedback. I’m glad that the site is helping you to improve. Keep up the good work
Good morning teacher, I really like this blog, I can to understand the adverbs of quantity much better. I must to practice my english.thank you.
Hi Alexis,
I’m glad that you really like this blog and that it’s helping you improve your level of English. Keep up the good work!
Good morning teacher, I really like this blog, I can to understand the adverbs of quantity much better. I must to practice my english.thank you.
Hi Alexis,
I’m glad that you really like this blog and that it’s helping you improve your level of English. Keep up the good work!
Hello ,Mrs & mam, i would like to re correct or similarity, of my composition for a request , know I’m not good in english well, but try u checked out this.
A letter for request hopely u understands,
“DEFINITELY JUST I WOULD I REQUEST TO BE REGRET AS YOUR STAFF (LIAISON)
I would like to partime while im worked here in every saturday,it because i want expand myself not also a legal worker. But I’m still working here monday to Friday, Just a 6 months for studying for tesda.
HOPING YOUR KIND CONSIDERATION FOR THIS MATTER .
Hi,
Thank you very much for your interest. Keep an eye on LinkedIn for future job offers. Good luck!
Hello ,Mrs & mam, i would like to re correct or similarity, of my composition for a request , know I’m not good in english well, but try u checked out this.
A letter for request hopely u understands,
“DEFINITELY JUST I WOULD I REQUEST TO BE REGRET AS YOUR STAFF (LIAISON)
I would like to partime while im worked here in every saturday,it because i want expand myself not also a legal worker. But I’m still working here monday to Friday, Just a 6 months for studying for tesda.
HOPING YOUR KIND CONSIDERATION FOR THIS MATTER .
Hi,
Thank you very much for your interest. Keep an eye on LinkedIn for future job offers. Good luck!