GV

Few, Little, Fewer, Less

Quantifiers for small amounts with countable and uncountable nouns

intermediate

When to Use Few, Little, Fewer, Less

  • •Few + countable plural: Few people came to the party.
  • •Little + uncountable: There's little water left.
  • •Fewer + countable (comparative): Fewer students enrolled this year.
  • •Less + uncountable (comparative): I have less time than before.
  • •A few/A little = some (positive); Few/Little = not many/much (negative)

How to Form Few, Little, Fewer, Less

Affirmative (+)

Few/A few + countable plural | Little/A little + uncountable

Negative (-)

Very few people know. / Very little is known.

Question (?)

Are there fewer options now?

💡 'A few' and 'a little' are positive (some). 'Few' and 'little' without 'a' are negative (not enough).

Examples of Few, Little, Fewer, Less

✓There are fewer cars on the road today.

✗There are less cars on the road today.

Fewer + countable plural (cars).

✓I have less money than I thought.

✗I have fewer money than I thought.

Less + uncountable (money).

✓A few friends came to help. (positive: some friends)

✗Few friends came to help. (negative: not many)

'A few' = some (good); 'few' = not many (disappointing).

Common Mistakes with Few, Little, Fewer, Less

💡 Practice Tips for Few, Little, Fewer, Less

  • • Countable: few/fewer (people, cars, books)
  • • Uncountable: little/less (water, time, money)
  • • A few/A little = positive (some)
  • • Few/Little (no 'a') = negative (not enough)
  • • Exception: 'less than' with numbers is common: less than 10 minutes
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.  people attended this year compared to last year.
  2. 2.I have   time to finish the report — only an hour left.
  3. Question 3: There's blank information about the new product on the website. (uncountable, comparative)
    3.There's information about the new product on the website. (uncountable, comparative)
  4. Question 4: Don't worry — I have blank friends I can call for help. (positive: some friends — countable)
    4.Don't worry — I have friends I can call for help. (positive: some friends — countable)
  5. Question 5: We have blank milk left — just enough for breakfast. (positive: some — uncountable)
    5.We have milk left — just enough for breakfast. (positive: some — uncountable)
  6. Question 6: Are there blank options now than there used to be? (countable comparative, in a question)
    6.Are there options now than there used to be? (countable comparative, in a question)
  7. Question 7: The trip should take blank than 30 minutes. (with a number, exception to the strict rule)
    7.The trip should take than 30 minutes. (with a number, exception to the strict rule)
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