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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

few vs little

I came across this example in an FCE test paper...

I sometimes check my email as little as 3 times a week.

My question is whether the word "little" can be replaced by "few" and why.

Thanks
  

Top answer

Anonymous My question is whether the word "little" can be replaced by "few" and why. Yes, that replacement can be made. The writer has the choice of thinking of "three times a week" as an amount (therefore using 'little') or of focusing on "three" as a number (therefore using 'few').

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous My question is whether the word "little" can be replaced by "few" and why.
  • Yes, that replacement can be made.
  • The writer has the choice of thinking of "three times a week" as an amount (therefore using 'little') or of focusing on "three" as a number (therefore using 'few').
  • In his mind the grouping is just a bit different.
  • {as little as [three times a week]} {as few as [three]} times a week CJ
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1 Answers
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AnonymousMy question is whether the word "little" can be replaced by "few" and why.
Yes, that replacement can be made.

The writer has the choice of thinking of "three times a week" as an amount (therefore using 'little') or of focusing on "three" as a number (therefore using 'few'). In his mind the grouping is just a bit different.

{as littl
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