Few vs. a Few: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 23, 2024
"Few" implies a small number, often with a negative connotation of insufficiency, whereas "a few" suggests a small but definite number, generally more positive or neutral.
Key Differences
"Few" and "a few" are quantifiers in English used to indicate a small number, but their connotations differ. "Few" often suggests a smaller number than desired, carrying a slightly negative implication. For example, saying "I have few friends" might imply loneliness or a lack of social connections. It underscores scarcity or insufficiency in the context it's used.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
In contrast, "a few" tends to have a more neutral or slightly positive connotation. It indicates a small number, but enough for the purpose at hand. For instance, "I have a few friends coming over" implies a manageable, small group. It suggests adequacy rather than scarcity.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Usage of "few" and "a few" also differs in emphasis. When someone uses "few," it highlights the lack of quantity, whereas "a few" emphasizes the presence of something, though in a small quantity. For instance, in a sentence like "I have few options," the speaker might feel limited, but in saying "I have a few options," the speaker acknowledges having some choices.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
It's also interesting to note that in some contexts, "few" can sound more formal or literary, while "a few" is more commonly used in everyday speech. However, this is not a strict rule and can vary based on the speaker and the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Comparison Chart
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Few and a Few Definitions
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Few
Amounting to or consisting of a small number
One of my few bad habits. See Usage Note at less.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Few
Being more than one but indefinitely small in number
Bowled a few strings.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Few
An indefinitely small number of persons or things
A few of the books have torn jackets.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Few
(preceded by another determiner) An indefinite, but usually small, number of.
There are a few cars (=some, but a relatively small number) in the street.
Quite a few people (=a significant number) were pleasantly surprised.
I think he's had a few drinks. [This usage is likely ironic.]
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Few
(used alone) Not many; a small (in comparison with another number stated or implied) but somewhat indefinite number of.
There are very few people who understand quantum theory.
I was expecting a big crowd at the party, but very few people (=almost none) turned up.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Few
Obscuring one to two oktas (eighths) of the sky.
Tonight: A few clouds. Increasing cloudiness overnight.
NOAA definition of the term "few clouds": An official sky cover classification for aviation weather observations, descriptive of a sky cover of 1/8 to 2/8. This is applied only when obscuring phenomena aloft are present--that is, not when obscuring phenomena are surface-based, such as fog.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Few
(US?) Having a 10 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch); used interchangeably with isolated.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Few
Not many; small, limited, or confined in number; - indicating a small portion of units or individuals constituting a whole; often, by ellipsis of a noun, a few people.
Few know and fewer care.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Few
An indefinite but relatively small number;
They bought a case of beer and drank a few
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Few
A quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `a'; a small but indefinite number;
A few weeks ago
A few more wagons than usual
An invalid's pleasures are few and far between
Few roses were still blooming
Few women have led troops in battle
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "few" be used for zero quantity?
No, it implies at least a very small number.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Is "few" more likely in negative statements?
Yes, it's often used in negative contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
How does context affect "few" and "a few"?
Context can change their connotation and emphasis.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Can "few" and "a few" be quantified exactly?
No, they are relative and depend on context.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Can "few" and "a few" be used interchangeably?
No, due to their different connotations.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Does "few" always mean less than "a few"?
Not necessarily, but it implies a lesser degree.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Are there synonyms for "few" and "a few"?
Yes, like "not many" for "few" and "some" for "a few."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Can "a few" be used in formal writing?
Yes, though it's more common in casual use.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
How do "few" and "a few" compare in academic writing?
"Few" is more likely in formal academic writing.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
Can numbers be specified with "few"?
Generally, it's used without specific numbers.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 23, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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