Simple explanation
Start with the noun: countable or uncountable? The first step is to look at the noun after the quantifier. Countable nouns can be counted as separate items and have plural forms, such as books, friends, days and questions. Use few or a few with plural countable nouns. Uncountable nouns, such as water, money, time and information, normally use little or a little. Few and a few Few and a few both come before plural countable nouns, but they do not communicate exactly the same idea. A few means that a small number exists. Few focuses more strongly on how small the number is and often suggests that there are not as many as wanted, expected or needed. Little and a little Little and a little are used with uncountable nouns. A little means that a small amount exists. Little focuses on the fact that the amount is very small and often suggests that it may not be enough. Why does a change the meaning? Compare I have a little time with I have little time. The first sentence focuses on the time that is available: there is some time. The second focuses on the shortage of time: there is not much time. The same contrast exists between a few and few. A simple two-step decision First, decide whether the noun is a plural countable noun or an uncountable noun. This tells you whether to choose the few pair or the little pair. Second, decide what you want to emphasize. Use a few or a little when you want to emphasize that some quantity exists. Use few or little when you want to emphasize how limited that quantity is.
Grammar formula
Very small number
few + plural countable nounFew people know about this place.
Some items or people available
a few + plural countable nounI have a few questions.
Very small amount
little + uncountable nounWe have little time.
Some amount available
a little + uncountable nounThere is a little milk left.
Core rules
- 1
Use few with plural countable nouns
Use few before plural countable nouns when you want to emphasize that the number is very small: few people, few opportunities, few shops.
- 2
Use a few with plural countable nouns
Use a few before plural countable nouns when you want to say that a small number is available or exists: a few friends, a few minutes, a few questions.
- 3
Use little with uncountable nouns
Use little before uncountable nouns when you want to emphasize that the amount is very small: little time, little money, little information.
- 4
Use a little with uncountable nouns
Use a little before uncountable nouns when you want to say that a small amount exists: a little water, a little time, a little help.
- 5
The article a changes the focus
A few and a little generally focus on the existence of a small quantity. Few and little generally focus on the smallness or shortage of that quantity.
- 6
Use a plural noun after few and a few
Few and a few normally require a plural countable noun. Say a few days, not a few day.
Useful examples
I have a few friends in this city.
I have some friends in this city, although the number is small.
Friends is a plural countable noun. A few emphasizes that some friends are present.
Few students understood the question.
Only a small number of students understood the question.
Few emphasizes how small the number of students was.
We have a little time before the bus arrives.
We still have some time before the bus gets here.
Time is uncountable, and a little shows that some time is available.
We have little time, so let's hurry.
We do not have much time, so we need to move quickly.
Little emphasizes the shortage of time.
She bought a few apples for the trip.
She bought several apples, but not many, for the trip.
Apples is a plural countable noun, so a few is correct.
There is a little coffee left in the pot.
There is still some coffee in the pot.
Coffee is uncountable here, and a little emphasizes that some remains.
He has few opportunities to practise English at work.
He does not have many chances to practise English at work.
Opportunities is countable and plural. Few emphasizes the limited number of opportunities.
Can I ask you a few questions?
Can I ask you some questions? There will not be many.
A few is natural when asking about a small number of countable things.
Please add a little sugar to my tea.
Please put a small amount of sugar in my tea.
Sugar is uncountable, so a little is used.
There is little food in the house.
There is not much food in the house.
Little emphasizes that the amount of food is very small.
We stayed there for a few days.
We stayed there for several days, but not for a long time.
Days is a plural countable noun, so a few is appropriate.
I speak a little German.
I can speak some German, but not very much.
A little shows that the speaker has some ability in German.
Few buses run after midnight.
Only a small number of buses run after midnight.
Buses is a plural countable noun, and few emphasizes the limited service.
I need a little help with this exercise.
I need some help with this exercise, but not a large amount.
Help is uncountable in this use, so a little is correct.
Common mistakes
- ❌ I have a few money. ✅ I have a little money. Money is uncountable, so use a little rather than a few.
- ❌ There are little students in the classroom. ✅ There are few students in the classroom. Students is a plural countable noun, so few is required.
- ❌ Can I have a few water? ✅ Can I have a little water? Water is uncountable when we talk about an amount of water, so use a little.
- ❌ She has a little friends here. ✅ She has a few friends here. Friends is a plural countable noun, so a few is the correct choice.
- ❌ I have few minutes, so we can talk for a while. ✅ I have a few minutes, so we can talk for a while. The context focuses on the fact that some time is available for talking. A few expresses this idea more naturally, while few would emphasize the shortage.
- ❌ We stayed there for a few day. ✅ We stayed there for a few days. A few is followed by a plural countable noun, so day must be plural.
Learning tips
- First ask whether the noun is countable or uncountable.
- Use few and a few with plural countable nouns.
- Use little and a little with uncountable nouns.
- Remember the pairs: few versus a few for numbers, and little versus a little for amounts.
- A few and a little usually emphasize that something is available.
- Few and little usually emphasize that the quantity is very limited.
- Look at the whole sentence. Words such as so, but and enough can help you understand whether the speaker sees the quantity as useful or insufficient.
Practise this topic
Interactive exercises for this topic are coming soon.
PlannedRelated grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
Can I use few with a singular noun?
Normally, no. Few and a few are used with plural countable nouns, such as few people, a few books and a few days.
Why does adding a change the meaning of few and little?
The forms with a usually emphasize that a small quantity exists. Without a, few and little usually focus on how small or limited the quantity is.
Can I use little with money and time?
Yes. Money and time are uncountable in these uses, so little money, a little money, little time and a little time are all possible. The choice depends on the meaning you want to express.
Are few and little always negative?
Not grammatically negative, but they often have a negative meaning because they emphasize that a number or amount is very small. A few and a little usually sound more positive or neutral because they emphasize that something is available.
How can I quickly decide between few and little?
Look at the noun. If it is a plural countable noun, choose few or a few. If it is uncountable, choose little or a little. Then decide whether you want to emphasize the available quantity or its shortage.
What is the difference between a little and a bit of?
Both can describe a small amount. A little can come directly before an uncountable noun, as in a little water. A bit of is also common, especially in informal spoken English, as in a bit of water.