With our previous lessons on confusing English words, this time we have a new set of confusing words. Little vs Few: Where should you use ‘little’ or ‘few’?
English is a universal language and it has become the most significant part of modern day education. It also helps people hailing from different ethnicity to connect and continue conversations. Therefore, English education is even applicable to colleges and universities wherein international students from various backgrounds are able to communicate freely.
How Little and Few differ and Where to use Them
The quantifiers of English grammar like “a little,” “little,” “a few,” and “few” are often used interchangeably in English. However, there is a basic difference in both based on whether the object specified here is countable or uncountable. The use of the indefinite article “a” in the sentences also changes the meaning of these important words.
| Little | Few |
| Little, is a word that will always refer to non-countable nouns and is used mostly with the singular form to indicate that something exists only in a small amount or to a slight degree. | Few will refer to countable nouns and is used with the plural form to indicate not many persons or things. |
| For Example :You’ve got little money left in the bank account. | For Example :
Benny has few friends in London. |
The usage of little and few can become quite confusing at times. Generally, a little and a few mean some or enough of something.
Example:
“You have got little money with you.”, it means that the person has a small amount of money which is enough for the person for his personal expenses.
“You have got a few friends and we meet every day.”, it means that the person has got some or enough friends. We meet every day.
Examples on How to Use of Few and Little in Sentence
Let us have a look at some example sentences and understand how they are used.
Examples for few / little
- Few people stopped to listen to the saint on the corner of the street.
- There is little that you can do about the situation and help change it.
- I happen to really like spiders but few others do not agree with me.
- Although the car is not old, I do have few problems with it.
- He’s so stubborn, there’s little use in talking to him as he will keep arguing with you.
- There are few cars visible on the road after midnight.
- I have little or no time to waste as I have already created my To-Do list.
- There’s little chance of rain for the next few weeks.
English grammar skills are quite useful in every aspect of life from education to leadership, and social life, personal life and employment opportunities. This is because in your life whatever role you play, communication is the key to a healthy relationship. The usage of proper words and tenses is equally important at home where children learn their grammatical patterns from their parents and family and also at your workplace where your subordinate would learn from you.