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Mickey Mouse 8241 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
the+few/little+determiners
Hello all,
Here are some examples:
"Pistachio is one of the few flavors that appeal to me.
We shared the few pieces of fruit and the little water that was left.
The Olympic event is one of the few opportunities that we get to see
some of the best athletes in the world.
I quickly packed my few belonging and spent the little money I had on a one-way ticket home."
As we know, few used (without a) in negative meaning.
Now, I want to know that the meaning of 'few' in above example has negative meaning or not?
Any help would be appreciated.
Here are some examples:
"Pistachio is one of the few flavors that appeal to me.
We shared the few pieces of fruit and the little water that was left.
The Olympic event is one of the few opportunities that we get to see
some of the best athletes in the world.
I quickly packed my few belonging and spent the little money I had on a one-way ticket home."
As we know, few used (without a) in negative meaning.
Now, I want to know that the meaning of 'few' in above example has negative meaning or not?
Any help would be appreciated.
Top answer
my few belonging s Mickey Mouse 8241 I want to know that if the meaning of 'few' in above example has negative meaning or not? Yes. We say it has "negative polarity".
- my few belonging s Mickey Mouse 8241 I want to know that if the meaning of 'few' in above example has negative meaning or not?
- Yes.
- We say it has "negative polarity".
- few = not many the few flavors that appeal to me implies that not many flavors appeal to me.
- You can also express it without the negative, however.
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4 Answers
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my few belongings
the few flavors that appeal to me implies that not many flavors appea
Mickey Mouse 8241I want to knowYes. We say it has "negative polarity". few = not manythatif the meaning of 'few' in above example has negative meaning or not?
the few flavors that appeal to me implies that not many flavors appea
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Many thanks.
Can we use 'a few' instead of 'few' in the sentences?
AND
I have found the following from Oxford Practice Grammar Advanced page 92:
"We also use 'few' and 'little' between determiners and nouns when we want to emphasize that the small quantity is the complete number or amount, especially in formal situation.
I quickly packed my few belongings and spent the lit
Can we use 'a few' instead of 'few' in the sentences?
AND
I have found the following from Oxford Practice Grammar Advanced page 92:
"We also use 'few' and 'little' between determiners and nouns when we want to emphasize that the small quantity is the complete number or amount, especially in formal situation.
I quickly packed my few belongings and spent the lit
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Mickey Mouse 8241Can we use 'a few' instead of 'few' in the sentences?No. Not without changing the meaning.
Mickey Mouse 8241I didn't understand what the writer mean by saying 'complete number or amount' . Could you please clarify this type of usageShe has few friends = She doesn't have many friends. = She has only a smal
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I really appreciate your help. Many thanks for helping us here. You are all wonderful volunteer helper. *** bless you.
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