such few people vs such a few people

Question

Hello, everyone.I heard that wrong is 'such few people' as in 'Such few people turned out at the party' and it should be 'so few people'. However I have occasionally seen the phrase 'such a few people' or 'such a little time' on the internet like.. We have but such a little time here.Could I say I drank such a little beer that night and I met such a few friends that night? Though I could say 'so a little beer' and 'so a few friends', are they natural as well?Thank you in advance!

Enoon · Accepted Answer

youngbutsI heard that wrong is 'such few people' as in 'Such few people turned out at the party' and it should be 'so few people'. However I have occasionally seen the phrase 'such a few people' or 'such a little time' on the internet like..

"Such few people" is wrong.

youngbutsWe have but such a little time here.

So is that.

"We have but a little time here." (literary)
"We have so little time here." (less literary)

youngbutsCould I say I drank such a little beer that night and I met such a few friends that night? Though I could say 'so a little beer' and 'so a few friends', are they natural as well?

None of those is right. You drank so little beer and met so few friends.

Youngbuts · Answer

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. I think I have completely got it. ^^

such few people vs such a few people

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