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Nina_Nia Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

A little

Hello,

How to explain the use of 'little' instead of 'few' in this sentence?

I've only read a little of the book so far- just the first couple of chapters.
I know that little and a little are used with uncountable nouns, and I understand that using 'few' is wrong, but I don't know how to exlain it.

Thanks
  

Top answer

"a little of the book" can be interpreted as "a little of what's written in the book" so you're referring to a part of the book's contents. "few" and "a few" work only with multiple items. When you thinking of a part of something it's always (a) little and much.

— Ivanhr

  • "a little of the book" can be interpreted as "a little of what's written in the book" so you're referring to a part of the book's contents.
  • "few" and "a few" work only with multiple items.
  • When you thinking of a part of something it's always (a) little and much.
  • Much of the car was completely unrecognizable.
  • (one car) vs A few cars were completely unrecognizable.
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1 Answers
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"a little of the book" can be interpreted as "a little of what's written in the book" so you're referring to a part of the book's contents. "few" and "a few" work only with multiple items. When you thinking of a part of something it's always (a) little and much.

Much of the car was completely unrecognizable. (one car)
vs
A few cars were completely unrecognizable. (several cars)
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