Few - A few - Little

We have already seen the difference between LITTLE and FEW, (To see an example click here)

Now we see the difference between FEW and A FEW and LITTLE and A LITTLE.

When there is a negative idea, use LITTLE or FEW.
When there is a positive idea, use A LITTLE or A FEW.

This often depends on the context:

There is LITTLE money in the budget, so we CAN'T buy new equipment.
There is A LITTLE money in the budget, so we CAN buy new equipment.
The minister made FEW good decisions - he should go.
The minister made A FEW good decisions - he should stay.

Try it...

In spite of a lot of advertising, the company has only sold ..... of the new appartments.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
The boss wants punctuality, he has ..... tolerance for latecomers.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
Nauru is a small island in the Pacific inhabited by only ..... thousands of people.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
There is ..... furniture in the house; it’s almost empty.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
My mother wrote ..... of her favourite recipes in this notebook which I treasure.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
I have ..... patience with fools!
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
In spite of a lot of advertising, the company has only sold ..... of the new appartments.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
The operation was very difficult and we had ..... hope of success.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
I'm afraid we have ..... spare cash so we'll have to wait till next year for a new photocopier.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
There are only ..... French books in the town library.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
Do many people really understand relativity? – No, only ..... .
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
Don't drink more than a mouthful; there's only ..... water left in the flask.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
Gentlemen, we have .... time left and must make a decision today.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
I have told Anne everything and now she's ..... less worried.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
Ladies and gentlemen, if you can spare me a moment I'd like to say ..... words.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
The doctor told John to give up sugar. He has tried but he still uses ..... .
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
There is only ..... milk in the bottle, but not enough for the children.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
The sun is shining ..... but not enough to make it worth wearing sunglasses.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
Can you buy ..... loaves of brown bread; we are going on a picnic tomorrow.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few
Relatively ..... British people speak a second language - except for immigrants.
1. little
2. a little
3. few
4. a few