English Grammar

A few, few, the few; a little, little, the little

A few means some. It has a positive meaning. Few means hardly any. It has a negative meaning. The few means not many, but all of them.

Compare

• There were a few members present. (Some members were present.)
• Few members attended the meeting. (Hardly any member attended the meeting.)
• He lost the few friends he had. (Not many, but all of them)

Note that few is used with plural nouns.

A little, little and the little

Little is used with uncountable nouns. A little means some. It has a positive meaning. Little means hardly any. It has a negative meaning. The little means not much but all of that much.

• Give me a little milk. (some milk.)
• I have little money. (hardly any)
• He drank off the little milk we had. (not much, but all of that much)

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