Practice
A few and a little: describe quantities accurately
Sign in to saveThere are three apples in the bowl, so you can say a few apples. There is some sugar in the jar, so you can say a little sugar.
Choose a few for small numbers of countable things and a little for small amounts of uncountable things.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
a few and a little /ə fjuː ən ə ˈlɪt.əl/
The short answer
Use a few before plural countable nouns and a little before uncountable nouns. Say a few coins because you can count coins. Say a little milk because milk is an uncountable substance in this sentence.
We need a few chairs for the meeting.
Why it works: Chairs are separate things that you can count, so a few is the right choice.
6 more examples
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There are a few biscuits on the plate.
Biscuits are countable items, so the phrase takes a few.
Not this:There is
a little jamin the jar. What changes: Jam is uncountable here, so a little describes its amount. -
I wrote a few notes during the lecture.
You can count notes one by one.
Not this:I have
a little timebefore the bus leaves. What changes: Time is treated as an uncountable amount in this sentence. -
We invited a few neighbours for tea.
Neighbours are people you can count, and the noun is plural.
Not this:Please add
a little saltto the soup. What changes: Salt is a substance, so a little is natural. -
She asked a few questions after class.
Questions are separate countable things.
Not this:The plant needs
a little water. What changes: Water is uncountable, even though you can count bottles or glasses of water. -
A few children waited outside the library.
Children is the plural form of child and can be counted.
Not this:He showed
a little patiencewith the new student. What changes: Patience names a quality, so English treats it as uncountable. -
We bought a few tickets for the concert.
Tickets are individual countable objects.
Not this:Can I have
a little helpwith this bag? What changes: Help is uncountable when it means assistance in general.
Read the full guide
First, look at the noun after the blank. Can you count separate items: one, two, three? Use a few with its plural form. If the noun names a substance, idea, or general amount that you do not count as separate items, use a little.
Count the noun first
The noun makes the choice. Countable nouns name separate items. They can have a number before them, such as two pens or five bags. Use a few with the plural form of a countable noun.
I found a few coins in my pocket.
Coins are individual objects that you can count, so a few coins is correct.
Which phrase fits books: a few books or a little books?
Use a few books. Books are plural countable nouns.
Use a little for an amount
Uncountable nouns often name substances, materials, feelings, or general ideas. You can count a container or unit, but not the noun itself in this form. Use a little before the uncountable noun.
There is a little rice left for dinner.
Rice is an uncountable food word here. You can count bowls of rice, but not rice as separate items.
Which phrase fits coffee: a few coffee or a little coffee?
Use a little coffee because coffee is uncountable when you mean the drink in general.
Keep countable nouns plural
After a few, use a plural noun. One ticket is singular, but a few tickets is plural. This plural ending is a useful clue when you read or write the phrase.
A few visitors arrived early for the tour.
Visitors is plural, which matches a few. Do not say a few visitor.
Complete the phrase: a few ___. Should you write message or messages?
Write messages because a few needs a plural countable noun.
Name a unit when you need to count
An uncountable noun can become countable when you name a unit. You can say a little water for an amount, or a few bottles of water when you count containers. The noun after a few is bottles, not water.
We packed a few bottles of water for the walk.
Bottles is countable and plural. Water stays uncountable, but it is part of the longer noun phrase.
Which phrase counts containers: a few bottles of juice or a little bottles of juice?
Use a few bottles of juice because bottles are countable items.
Use the sentence meaning
Both phrases describe a small amount, but the situation may still be positive. A few minutes can be enough to make a call. A little help can be enough to carry a heavy box. Read the whole sentence before deciding that the amount is a problem.
We have a little time, so let us check the map.
A little time means some time is available. The second part of the sentence shows that the amount is useful.
Does a few minutes always mean there is no time?
No. It means a small number of minutes. The rest of the sentence tells you whether that amount is enough.
Check the phrase before you speak
Before you choose, say the noun quietly in your head. If it sounds natural after one, two, or three, it is probably countable. If you are talking about an amount such as milk, advice, or information, use a little.
Could you give me a little advice about the interview?
Advice is uncountable. You can ask for a piece of advice when you need to count one suggestion.
Which phrase is correct: a few advice or a little advice?
Use a little advice because advice is uncountable.
Before you go
Remember this
Use a few with plural countable nouns and a little with uncountable nouns. Check the noun after the phrase. If you can count the things separately, choose a few. If you are describing an amount, choose a little.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "A few and a little: describe quantities accurately"
What is the difference between a few and a little?
Use a few with plural countable nouns, such as a few chairs or a few questions. Use a little with uncountable nouns, such as a little water or a little time. The noun after the phrase decides which form you need.
There are a few biscuits on the plate.
Can I say a few sugar?
No. Sugar is uncountable when you mean the substance in general, so say a little sugar. You can say a few sugar cubes because cubes are separate countable items.
There is a little jam in the jar.
Why does a few need a plural noun?
A few means a small number of separate things. English uses the plural form after it: a few messages, a few children, or a few bottles. A singular noun does not fit after a few.
I wrote a few notes during the lecture.
Can I use a few with an uncountable noun if I add a unit?
Yes. Name the countable unit, then use a few with that plural noun. For example, say a few cups of tea or a few pieces of advice. Tea and advice are uncountable, but cups and pieces can be counted.
I have a little time before the bus leaves.
Do a few and a little always mean the amount is enough?
They usually suggest that some amount is available, often with a more positive tone than few or little. The rest of the sentence tells you whether the amount is enough for the situation.
We invited a few neighbours for tea.