Few and little

Form

(a) few + plural countable noun
(a) little + uncountable noun

Functions and examples

1. (a) few and (a) little mean a small quantity or a small number.
Without 'a' there is often a negative meaning.

I have a few friends. -- a small number, but I am happy
I have few friends. -- a small number, and I wish I had more
I have a little money. -- a small amount, but I am happy
I have little money. -- a small amount, and I wish I had more

2. Few and little without 'a' are quite formal.

In spoken English, it is more common to say only a few / little, or not much/many.

Only a few people came to the meeting.
Not many people came to the meeting.
Few people came to the meeting. -- more formal

3. If we use (a)few or (a)little before a pronoun or determiner, we use of.

A few of them went to the cinema.
He only kept a little of his money with him.

See also: Small and little

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