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Few means a small number (or a relatively small number) of things/people etc, and is used where there are individual items that can be counted.

Example sentences:

  • Very few people reach the age of 120.
  • Many are called, but few are chosen.
  • There are a few things I must do before I go away on holiday.

Little means 'small' and relates to relative size or volume, rather than number. It is also used with 'uncountable' nouns.

Some example sentences:

  • The little child stared at the huge elephant and said ...
  • So much to do, too little time.
  • The crops are failing because there has been little rainthis season.
  • The rescuers said they had little hope of finding any survivors.

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Examples of few and little used together:

  • The old man has few teeth in his mouth and little hair on his head.
  • At the conference there were few (not many) in attendance, and little (not much) interest in the issues being presented.

Number? or Size?

  1. "I've got a few pimples on my face." - This indicates how many pimples. (not many, as it happens!)
  2. "I've got a little pimple on my face." - This tells us the size of the pimple.
  3. Doctor to patient: "Don't worry. You've ony got a few little pimples on your back." - This tells us how many pimples, AND what size they are!

SOME NOUNS are always 'uncountable', such as sugar, flour, bacon, wine, hope, etc. To indicate a small amount, the word little can be used.

  • "Would you like a little brandy in your coffee?" NOT "Would you like a a few brandy in your coffee?"

WITH 'COUNTABLE' nouns, the word few can be used is used.

  • "Few people are over 8 feet tall.", NOT "Little people are over 8 feet tall."!

SUMMARY:

'Few' means a small number and is used with plural countable nouns.

'Little' means small. It also means a small un-numberable amount, and is used with uncountable nouns.

More examples of usage:

Some of us know a little* about a lot of things.

*a small but uncountable amount

(comment: knowledge is an uncountable noun)

Some of us know a lot about a few* things.

*a small number

(comment: the noun 'things' is countable)

But few of us know a little about everything.

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Little did we suspect he had only a few dollars with him, though a few of us realized he'd contribute little towards the restaurant bill.

Few of the items on the menu were cheap; we'd hoped he'd pay a little towards the total.

----------------------

The screen was very small; few could use a monitor as little as that.

--------------------

Jay grew fewer bananas (less in number) than Lee, but Lee's bananas were littler (smaller in size) than Jay's.

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For more information, see 'Related links' below.

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14y ago
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8mo ago

Use 'few' when referring to countable objects or people, such as "fewer people attended the event." Use 'little' when referring to non-countable nouns, such as "she prepared little food for the party."

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Q: When should you use 'few' and when should you use 'little'?
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When should you use 'few' and when should you use 'little?

Few means a small number (or a relatively small number) of things/people etc, and is used where there are individual items that can be counted.Example sentences:Very few people reach the age of 120.Many are called, but few are chosen.There are a few things I must do before I go away on holiday.Little means 'small' and relates to relative size or volume, rather than number. It is also used with 'uncountable' nouns.Some example sentences:The little child stared at the huge elephant and said ...So much to do, too little time.The crops are failing because there has been little rainthis season.The rescuers said they had little hope of finding any survivors.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Examples of few and little used together:The old man has few teeth in his mouth and little hair on his head.At the conference there were few (not many) in attendance, and little (not much) interest in the issues being presented.Number? or Size?"I've got a few pimples on my face." - This indicates how many pimples. (not many, as it happens!)"I've got a little pimple on my face." - This tells us the size of the pimple.Doctor to patient: "Don't worry. You've ony got a few little pimples on your back." - This tells us how many pimples, AND what size they are!SOME NOUNS are always 'uncountable', such as sugar, flour, bacon, wine, hope, etc. To indicate a small amount, the word little can be used."Would you like a little brandy in your coffee?" NOT "Would you like a a few brandy in your coffee?"WITH 'COUNTABLE' nouns, the word few can be used is used."Few people are over 8 feet tall.", NOT "Little people are over 8 feet tall."!SUMMARY:'Few' means a small number and is used with plural countable nouns.'Little' means small. It also means a small un-numberable amount, and is used with uncountable nouns.More examples of usage:Some of us know a little* about a lot of things.*a small but uncountable amount(comment: knowledge is an uncountable noun)Some of us know a lot about a few* things.*a small number(comment: the noun 'things' is countable)But few of us know a little about everything.-----------------------Little did we suspect he had only a few dollars with him, though a few of us realized he'd contribute little towards the restaurant bill.Few of the items on the menu were cheap; we'd hoped he'd pay a little towards the total.----------------------The screen was very small; few could use a monitor as little as that.--------------------Jay grew fewer bananas (less in number) than Lee, but Lee's bananas were littler (smaller in size) than Jay's.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------For more information, see 'Related links' below.


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