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Emily_ Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
few/ a few
Hi, I found this explanation on the BBC:
When we use few and little without the indefinite article, they usually have a negative meaning, but when we use them with the indefinite article, a little or a few, they have a more positive meaning. Compare the following:
When we use few and little without the indefinite article, they usually have a negative meaning, but when we use them with the indefinite article, a little or a few, they have a more positive meaning. Compare the following:
- I have few friends in England and I feel quite lonely.
- I have a few friends in England, so I don't miss home so much.
I remember also another one from school: "a few" is less than "few". But neither of them won´t help me with sentence:
"I was surprised when he said he believed that the earth was flat, because I thought few people believed that nowadays." (a few is not correct)
Maybe only when it is supposed that the believing of the flat earth has negative meaning.?.
Thank you
Emily
Top answer
Emily_ Hi, I found this explanation on the BBC: When we use few and little without the indefinite article, they usually have a negative meaning, but when we use them with the indefinite article, a little or a few , they have a more positive meaning. Compare the following: I have few friends in England and I feel quite lonely. I have a few friends in England, so I don't miss home so much.
- Emily_ Hi, I found this explanation on the BBC: When we use few and little without the indefinite article, they usually have a negative meaning, but when we use them with the indefinite article, a little or a few , they have a more positive meaning.
- Compare the following: I have few friends in England and I feel quite lonely.
- I have a few friends in England, so I don't miss home so much.
- I remember also another one from school: "a few" is less than "few".
- " (a few is not correct) Maybe only when it is supposed that the believing of the flat earth has negative meaning.?.
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2 Answers
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Emily_Hi, I found this explanation on the BBC:
When we use few and little without the indefinite article, they usually have a negative meaning, but when we use them with the indefinite article, a little or a few, they have a more positive meaning. Compare the following:
- I have few friends in England and I feel qu
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The following sentences illustrate the difference between the usage of 'few' and 'a few'.
'Few' means 'not many'.
The weather was fine, yet few friends turned up at my birthday party. I was disappointed.
'A few' means 'a small number'.
It was raining very heavily, yet a few friends turned up at my birthday party. I was not disappointed because I exp
'Few' means 'not many'.
The weather was fine, yet few friends turned up at my birthday party. I was disappointed.
'A few' means 'a small number'.
It was raining very heavily, yet a few friends turned up at my birthday party. I was not disappointed because I exp
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