The expressions a little and a
few mean some or enough.
The expressions (very) little
and (very) few mean hardly any or not enough.
A little, a few, (very) little and (very) few are quantifiers
Study
the following examples:
Examples
|
Meaning
|
I've got a little money.
I'm going to the cinema.
|
some/enough
|
I've got a few friends. We
meet everyday.
|
|
I've got (very) little
money. I need to borrow some.
|
hardly any / not enough
|
I've got (very) few
friends. I need to make new friends.
|
The
rules:
Affirmative
sentences:
A little, a few, (very) little and (very) few
are generally used in affirmative statements, not negatives or questions.
Countable
and uncountable nouns:
1.
A little and (very) little are used with uncountable nouns
(money, bread, water...)
2.
A few and (very) few are used with countable nouns
(friends, tables, teachers..)
Meaning:
- A little
and a few mean: some or enough.
Example:
"I have got a little money" = I have got some money. It's enough for me to do what I want.
"I have got a few friends" = I have got some or enough friends. We meet every day. - (Very) little and (very) few mean;
hardly any or not enough.
Examples:
I have got
(very) little money = I have got hardly any. I haven't got enough. I'll
borrow some from my friend.
I have got (very) few friends = I have got hardly any. I haven't got enough. I need to make new friends.
I have got (very) few friends = I have got hardly any. I haven't got enough. I need to make new friends.
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