Few vs. Some: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 6, 2024
"Few" refers to a small number, often implying not as many as hoped for, while "some" is a vague quantity, typically more than "few" but not a lot.
Key Differences
In English, few and some are both quantifiers but carry different connotations. Few is used to describe a small number of items or people, often fewer than expected or desired. For example, saying "few people attended the event" suggests disappointment in the turnout. On the other hand, some is more ambiguous and can refer to an unspecified but significant amount. "Some people attended the event" implies a better turnout than "few" but still does not specify the exact number.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
When using few, it typically underscores a sense of scarcity or insufficiency. It can have a slightly negative connotation, as in "only a few options are available." In contrast, some is more neutral and is often used when the exact number is unknown, unnecessary, or unimportant. For instance, "some options are available" implies a reasonable variety without focusing on the exact count.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
The use of few is often in contexts where the speaker wants to emphasize the smallness of the number. For example, in a sentence like "Few students understood the concept," the emphasis is on the disappointing number who grasped the idea. In contrast, some is used in more general statements where the exact quantity is not the focus, such as "Some students understood the concept."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Few can also be used in a more positive light when paired with "very," as in "very few." This phrase can emphasize exclusivity or rarity, such as in "Very few people have this opportunity." In comparison, some is often used to suggest a moderate, unspecified quantity, as in "Some people have this opportunity," implying a larger group than "few" but still not everyone.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
In summary, while both few and some are used to describe quantities, few often has a connotation of being less than expected or desired, whereas some implies an unspecified but not insignificant amount. The choice between the two can subtly change the meaning of a sentence, reflecting the speaker's perspective on the sufficiency or insufficiency of the quantity in question.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Implies a smaller number, often fewer than hoped for.
Indicates an unspecified quantity, more than few but not a lot.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Usage Context
Used to emphasize scarcity or insufficiency.
Used when the exact number is unknown or unimportant.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Example Context
"Few options are available" (limited choices).
"Some options are available" (a reasonable variety).
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Combination with "Very"
"Very few" emphasizes exclusivity or rarity.
"Some" does not commonly combine with "very."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
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Few and Some Definitions
Some
A certain quantity, not necessarily large.
Some water spilled on the floor.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 20, 2023
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Some
More than a couple but not a large amount.
Some friends are coming over tonight.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 20, 2023
Few
A select or exclusive group.
Few have the privilege of attending the gala.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 20, 2023
Some
Being an unspecified number or quantity
Some people came into the room. Would you like some sugar?.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Being a portion or an unspecified number or quantity of a whole or group
He likes some modern sculpture but not all.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Few
Amounting to or consisting of a small number
One of my few bad habits. See Usage Note at less.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Being a considerable number or quantity
She has been directing films for some years now.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Few
Being more than one but indefinitely small in number
Bowled a few strings.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Few
An indefinitely small number of persons or things
A few of the books have torn jackets.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
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
Dec 13, 2023
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
Dec 13, 2023
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
Dec 13, 2023
Some
A certain number, at least two.
Some enjoy spicy food, others prefer it milder.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Few
(US?) Having a 10 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch); used interchangeably with isolated.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
An indefinite amount, a part.
Please give me some of the cake.
Everyone is wrong some of the time.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
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
Dec 13, 2023
Few
An indefinite but relatively small number;
They bought a case of beer and drank a few
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
An unspecified amount of (something uncountable).
Would you like some water?
After some persuasion, he finally agreed.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
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
Dec 13, 2023
Some
A certain, an unspecified or unknown.
I've just met some guy who said he knew you.
The sequence S converges to zero for some initial value v.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
A considerable quantity or number of.
He had edited the paper for some years.
He stopped working some time ago.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Approximately, about (with a number).
She had been employed at that company for some five years now.
There were only some three or four cars in the lot at the time.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Of a measurement: approximately, roughly.
I guess he must have weighed some 90 kilos.
Some 30,000 spectators witnessed the feat.
Some 4,000 acres of land were flooded.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Consisting of a greater or less portion or sum; composed of a quantity or number which is not stated; - used to express an indefinite quantity or number; as, some wine; some water; some persons. Used also pronominally; as, I have some.
Some theoretical writers allege that there was a time when there was no such thing as society.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
A certain; one; - indicating a person, thing, event, etc., as not known individually, or designated more specifically; as, some man, that is, some one man.
Some man praiseth his neighbor by a wicked intent.
Most gentlemen of property, at some period or other of their lives, are ambitious of representing their county in Parliament.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Not much; a little; moderate; as, the censure was to some extent just.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
About; near; more or less; - used commonly with numerals, but formerly also with a singular substantive of time or distance; as, a village of some eighty houses; some two or three persons; some hour hence.
The number slain on the rebel's part were some two thousand.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Considerable in number or quantity.
On its outer point, some miles away.The lighthouse lifts its massive masonry.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Certain; those of one part or portion; - in distinction from other or others; as, some men believe one thing, and others another.
Some [seeds] fell among thorns; . . . but other fell into good ground.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
A part; a portion; - used pronominally, and followed sometimes by of; as, some of our provisions.
Your edicts some reclaim from sins,But most your life and blest example wins.
Some to the shores do fly,Some to the woods, or whither fear advised.
Some in his bed, some in the deep sea.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity;
Have some milk
Some roses were still blooming
Having some friends over
Some apples
Some paper
We have no bananas
No eggs left and no money to buy any
Have you no decency?
Did it with no help
I'll get you there in no time
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Unknown or unspecified;
Some lunatic drove into my car
Some man telephoned while you were out
Some day my prince will come
Some enchanted evening
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Relatively many but unspecified in number;
They were here for some weeks
We did not meet again for some years
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
Relatively much but unspecified in amount or extent;
We talked for some time
He was still some distance away
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct;
Lasted approximately an hour
In just about a minute
He's about 30 years old
I've had about all I can stand
We meet about once a month
Some forty people came
Weighs around a hundred pounds
Roughly $3,000
Holds 3 gallons, more or less
20 or so people were at the party
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Some
A part of a whole, not the entirety.
Some of the cake was left uneaten.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 20, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "some" specific in quantity?
No, "some" is vague and does not specify an exact number.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
How is "some" used differently from "few"?
"Some" refers to an unspecified quantity, typically more than "few."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
When is it appropriate to use "few"?
When emphasizing a small number or scarcity.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Can "few" have a negative connotation?
Yes, "few" can suggest disappointment or insufficiency.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
What does "few" imply?
"Few" implies a small number, often less than desired.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Can "some" be used to mean a moderate amount?
Yes, "some" often implies a moderate, unspecified amount.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Is "few" used quantitatively or qualitatively?
Quantitatively, to indicate a small number.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
How versatile is the use of "some"?
Very; it's used in a variety of contexts where the exact number is unimportant.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Does "few" always mean less than "some"?
Generally, yes; "few" typically indicates a smaller quantity than "some."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Can "few" be used positively?
Yes, especially when paired with "very" to imply exclusivity.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Does "few" have synonyms with similar meanings?
Yes, like "a handful," "scarce," or "a small number."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Can "some" be used in both countable and uncountable contexts?
Yes, it's flexible in both countable and uncountable contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Is "some" useful for approximations?
Yes, it's commonly used for approximate quantities.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
How does "some" differ in suggesting quantity?
"Some" is more neutral and less definitive than "few."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
How does "few" compare to "a couple"?
"Few" is generally more than a couple but still a small number.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Can "few" be subjective in interpretation?
Yes, what constitutes "few" can vary based on context and perspective.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Is "some" always neutral in connotation?
Usually, but context can give it a more positive or negative tone.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
What contexts suit "few" best?
Contexts where the smallness of the number is significant.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Does "some" imply at least a minimal sufficiency?
Often, yes; it suggests an adequate but unspecified amount.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 2024
Can "some" indicate a large number?
Not typically; it suggests more than a few but not a large amount.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 06, 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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