Question

Complete the sentence using the best option:
I need ______ day’s rest.
A) few
B) a few
C) little
D) a little

Answer 1

Hint: “Few “and “little” are examples of quantitative adjectives. Non-numerical measurements are dealt with by Quantitative Adjectives. They characterise a noun's exact or estimated number. Whereas, Qualitative Adjectives are adjectives that describe the qualities of persons or things.

Complete answer:
An adjective is a term that modifies or represents a noun or noun phrase. Its semantic function is to alter the knowledge provided by the noun. They can also be used to define the quantity of noun.

Now, let us look into each option to understand which adjective will suit the best in the above sentence:
A) few: When we try to speak about the amount of something, we use the term few. We usually use that when we are talking about a small thing. But here we are referring to a small thing that is a part of a big thing. Hence, this option is inappropriate. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
B) a few: Now, in this case, it indicates that there is a big number that is many days and the leave required is for some days from that total number of days. Also, “ a few” is used when the noun is plural and countable. Hence, this option is correct.
C) little: “Little” is used when the noun is Singular and uncountable, but in this case, the day is countable. So, this option is inappropriate. Hence, this option is incorrect.
D) a little: Though the meaning of “little” is the same as “few”, it cannot be used for a countable noun.
Hence, this option is incorrect.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘B’ i.e, a few. Thus the correct sentence is ‘I need a few day’s rest’.

Note: Adjectives are generally put before their antecedents (the word they modify) in English phrases. They may, however, appear elsewhere in the phrase. This is especially true with verbs like "be, seem, get, become," and "appear," as well as verbs that describe the senses like "feel, taste, see, sound," and "smell."