How to Use Little and Few: Rules, Examples, and Common Mistakes
Understanding the difference between "little" and "few" is important for clear and correct English, especially in exams, essays, or daily conversation. Many students get confused about when to use these words. Mastering this topic will help you write and speak English more confidently. At Vedantu, we aim to make grammar easy for everyone.
| Word | Used With | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little | Uncountable nouns | Almost none (negative sense) | There is little water in the glass. |
| A little | Uncountable nouns | Some, but not much (positive sense) | She has a little hope left. |
| Few | Countable nouns | Almost none (negative sense) | Few students attended the class. |
| A few | Countable nouns | Some, but not many (positive sense) | I made a few friends at the camp. |
Difference Between Little and Few
The main difference between "little" and "few" is that "little" is used only for uncountable nouns, while "few" is used only for countable nouns. "Little" and "few" both talk about a small quantity, but they are not the same.
Grammar Rules for Little, Few, A Little, A Few
These rules help you decide which word to use:
- "Little" is used for things you cannot count (uncountable nouns). Example: water, sugar, patience.
- "Few" is used for things you can count (countable nouns, plural). Example: books, apples, ideas.
- Adding "a" before "little" or "few" changes the meaning:
- "Little" or "few" = almost none (negative meaning)
- "A little" or "a few" = some (positive meaning)
- Never use "few" or "a few" with uncountable nouns, and never use "little" or "a little" with countable nouns.
Common Countable and Uncountable Nouns
- Countable: pens, students, trees, apples, coins, books
- Uncountable: milk, water, rice, air, information, advice
Examples of Little vs Few in Sentences
| Sentence | Correct or Incorrect? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| There is little milk left. | Correct | "Milk" is uncountable, so "little" is right. |
| There are few chairs in the room. | Correct | "Chairs" are countable, so "few" is used. |
| I have a little money with me. | Correct | This means "some money," positive sense. |
| He has few friends here. | Correct | This means "almost no friends," negative sense. |
| She gave me a few advice. | Incorrect | "Advice" is uncountable; use "a little advice." |
| A little books were on the shelf. | Incorrect | "Books" are countable; use "a few books." |
Practice Exercises: Little, Few, A Little, A Few
- Fill in the blanks with: little / a little / few / a few.
- I have _____ time to help you. (Answer: a little)
- Only _____ students passed the exam. (Answer: few)
- She made _____ mistakes in her essay. (Answer: a few)
- There is _____ hope of winning now. (Answer: little)
- We have _____ sugar left; we should buy more. (Answer: little)
- A _____ people know the truth. (Answer: a few)
Common Mistakes and Exam Tips for Little and Few
- Never use "few" or "a few" with uncountable nouns (e.g., "a few water" is wrong).
- Never use "little" or "a little" with countable nouns (e.g., "little apples" is wrong).
- Remember: "few/little" are negative; "a few/a little" are positive.
- In a hurry? If you can count it, use "few"; if not, use "little".
- Check the noun before choosing the correct quantifier.
Summary Chart: Little vs Few at a Glance
| Word | Countable/Uncountable | Core Meaning | Positive or Negative | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little | Uncountable | Almost none | Negative | We have little food. |
| A little | Uncountable | Some | Positive | A little patience helps. |
| Few | Countable | Almost none | Negative | Few buses run at night. |
| A few | Countable | Some | Positive | A few buses are on time. |
For more practice with determiners, visit Determiners or learn about Countable vs Uncountable Nouns here.
In summary, knowing the difference between "little" and "few" helps you avoid common grammar mistakes with countable and uncountable nouns. Practice using these words in your writing and speaking to improve your English for exams, daily life, and competitive tests. For more grammar help, visit Vedantu’s English resources anytime!
FAQs on Difference Between Little and Few in English Grammar
1. What is the difference between "little" and "few"?
"Little" and "few" are both quantifiers, but they're used with different types of nouns. "Little" is used with uncountable nouns (things you can't count, like water or sugar), while "few" is used with countable nouns (things you can count, like apples or books).
2. Where do we use "little" and "few"?
Use "little" with uncountable nouns (e.g., "There is little water left") and "few" with countable nouns (e.g., "There are few apples in the basket"). The addition of "a" changes the meaning to a small but positive amount.
3. Is it correct to say "a few milk" or "a little milk"?
"A little milk" is correct. Milk is an uncountable noun, so you use "little." "A few" is used with countable nouns.
4. What's the difference between "few" and "a few"?
"Few" implies a negative meaning (almost none), while "a few" indicates a small but positive quantity. For example, "Few students passed the test" (negative) versus "A few students passed the test" (positive). Both are used with countable nouns.
5. What's the difference between "little" and "a little"?
Similar to "few" and "a few," "little" suggests a small, negative amount (almost none), while "a little" indicates a small, positive quantity. For instance, "There is little time left" (negative) versus "There is a little time left" (positive). Both are used with uncountable nouns.
6. Is it "a few water" or "a little water"?
"A little water" is correct because "water" is an uncountable noun.
7. What is the difference between very little and very few?
Both emphasize a very small quantity, but "very little" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., "There is very little sugar left"), and "very few" is used with countable nouns (e.g., "There are very few cars in the parking lot").
8. What are some common mistakes students make with "little" and "few"?
A common mistake is confusing "little" and "few" with countable and uncountable nouns. Remember: "little" goes with uncountable nouns, and "few" goes with countable nouns. Adding "a" changes the meaning from negative (hardly any) to positive (some).
9. How can I remember the difference between "little" and "few" easily?
Think of it this way: you can count "few" things, but you can't count "little" things. "Few" works with things you can count individually (e.g., apples, books), while "little" goes with substances or concepts you can't count individually (e.g., sugar, time, patience).
10. What are countable and uncountable nouns?
Countable nouns are things you can count (one apple, two apples). Uncountable nouns are things you can't count individually (water, sugar, information). Understanding this difference is crucial for using "little" and "few" correctly.
11. What is the difference between few, a few, the few?
"Few" implies a small quantity, almost none; "a few" suggests a small but positive amount; "the few" refers to a specific small number of things within a larger context. All are used with countable nouns.
