When to Use "Few" vs "Little": Grammar Rules and Examples
Understanding the difference between few and little in English grammar helps students write clear and correct sentences. This knowledge is key in school, competitive exams, and everyday communication. The proper use of “few” and “little” avoids common mistakes and boosts your confidence in spoken and written English.
| Word | Related Noun Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Few | Countable noun | Not many | Few students attended the class. |
| Little | Uncountable noun | Not much | Little water was left in the bottle. |
| A few | Countable noun | Some, but not many | A few apples are in the basket. |
| A little | Uncountable noun | Some, but not much | A little milk is needed for tea. |
Difference Between Few and Little in English Grammar
The difference between few and little depends on the type of noun they describe. Few is used with countable nouns to show a small number. Little is used with uncountable nouns to show a small amount. This rule helps you choose the right word in your sentences and avoid common mistakes.
How to Use Few and Little: Grammar Rule
Use few with things you can count, such as pens or friends. Use little with things you cannot count separately, like water or money. Adding "a" before these words changes the meaning slightly, making the quantity positive rather than negative.
| Expression | Type of Noun | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Few | Countable | Almost none, not many | Few books were on the table. |
| A few | Countable | Some, a small number | A few questions were easy. |
| Little | Uncountable | Almost none, not much | Little sugar is left. |
| A little | Uncountable | Some, a small amount | A little patience is necessary. |
Examples of Few and Little in Sentences
Using real sentences will help you understand when to use few and little. Try reading these aloud:
Few people know the answer. (Countable - negative)
A few people know the answer. (Countable - positive)
Little hope remained after the storm. (Uncountable - negative)
A little hope remained after the storm. (Uncountable - positive)
There are few chairs in the hall.
She has little money with her today.
We need a few minutes to finish.
Please add a little salt to the dish.
Comparison Table: Few vs Little vs A Few vs A Little
| Expression | Used With | Positive/Negative | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Few | Countable | Negative | Few students passed the test. |
| A few | Countable | Positive | A few students passed the test. |
| Little | Uncountable | Negative | Little water is in the glass. |
| A little | Uncountable | Positive | A little water is in the glass. |
Common Mistakes with Few and Little
Do not use “few” with uncountable nouns. Wrong: Few water was left. Right: Little water was left.
Do not use “little” with countable nouns. Wrong: Little apples are fresh. Right: Few apples are fresh.
Remember: “A few” or “a little” means some and has a slightly positive sense.
“Few” or “little” alone means not enough or almost none, and is usually negative.
Practice Exercises: Choose Few or Little
Fill in the blanks with “few,” “a few,” “little,” or “a little.” Then check your answers below.
There are ________ clouds in the sky.
She drank ________ juice before leaving.
Very ________ children can spell this word.
He had ________ patience left after waiting.
I have ________ friends in this city.
Answer key: 1. a few; 2. a little; 3. few; 4. little; 5. few
Why Learning Few and Little Matters for Students
Mastering the difference between few and little matters for scoring well on school or board exams. You will also avoid mistakes on fill-in-the-blanks, sentence correction, and essay tasks. This knowledge helps you speak and write English naturally.
- Determiners in English
- Quantifiers in English Grammar
- Countable and Uncountable Nouns
- Difference Between Less and Fewer
- Examples for Adjectives and Quantifiers
- Grammar for Class 3
- Prepositions and Determiners
- Difference Between Has and Have
- English Grammar Basics
- Adjectives: Comparative Examples
In summary, the difference between few and little in English grammar lies in the type of noun—few is for countable, little is for uncountable. Their forms (“a few,” “a little”) also affect the meaning. Practice and real-life examples improve your grammar skills for school and beyond. At Vedantu, we make learning English topics like this simple and effective.
FAQs on Difference Between "Few" and "Little" in English Grammar
1. What is the difference between "few" and "little" in English grammar?
"Few" and "little" are both quantifiers showing a small quantity, but "few" is used with countable nouns (things you can count), while "little" is used with uncountable nouns (things you can't count easily). For example, "few apples" and "little water".
2. Can you give examples using "few" and "little" in sentences?
Here are some examples:
Few students completed the assignment on time. (Countable noun: students)
There is little time left before the exam. (Uncountable noun: time)
I have a few coins in my pocket. (a few suggests a small but positive quantity)
She had a little money to spare. (a little suggests a small but positive quantity)
3. Is "money" a few or a little?
"Money" is an uncountable noun; therefore, you would use "little." For example, "I have little money left." However, you could use "a little money" to indicate a small but sufficient amount.
4. When do we use "few" and "a few" versus "little" and "a little"?
"Few" and "little" imply a negative meaning, suggesting scarcity. "A few" and "a little" imply a small but positive quantity. Use "few/a few" with countable nouns and "little/a little" with uncountable nouns.
5. What kind of nouns do we use "few" and "little" with?
We use "few" with countable nouns (e.g., few cars, few books) and "little" with uncountable nouns (e.g., little sugar, little time).
6. What is the difference between "few" and "fewer", "little" and "less"?
Fewer is used for comparing countable nouns, while less is used for comparing uncountable nouns. For example: "There are fewer apples than oranges," and "There is less sugar in this recipe." Few and little express quantity, whereas fewer and less express comparison.
7. Does adding "a" before "few/little" change their meaning?
Yes, adding "a" changes the meaning. "Few" and "little" suggest a negative or insufficient quantity, whereas "a few" and "a little" indicate a small but sufficient or positive amount. It's a subtle but important distinction.
8. What is the difference between few, a few, little, and a little?
The difference lies in the quantity and connotation. Few and little suggest not many/much, often implying negativity. A few and a little suggest a small but positive amount. Always consider whether the noun is countable or uncountable.
9. Can "few" and "little" be used in negative and positive contexts?
Yes, but their connotations differ. "Few" and "little" typically suggest a negative or insufficient quantity. However, they can be used positively depending on context, such as emphasising scarcity as a positive characteristic (e.g., "Few are chosen for this honor").
10. What is the difference between few and a few with examples?
"Few" implies a small number, often suggesting insufficiency. "A few" suggests a small but sufficient number. For example: "Few people attended the meeting" (negative), versus "I have a few questions" (positive). The same applies to "little" and "a little" with uncountable nouns.
11. Are there idiomatic uses for "few" or "little"?
While less common, idiomatic uses exist. For instance, "few and far between" describes something rare. These should be learned through exposure to English usage, not as grammatical rules.
