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Quantifiers Exercise: A Little/Little/A Few/Few
Note: These quantifiers have different meanings:
- a little (small amount, positive) and little (small amount, negative) for uncountable nouns
- a few (small number, positive) and few (small number, negative) for countable nouns
Choose the correct quantifier for each sentence
1. I have money left; enough for a coffee.
"a little" is correct because we're talking about a small but sufficient amount of an uncountable noun (money).
Positive: I have a little money (enough for something)
Negative: I have little money (almost none, not enough)
2. Very people came to the meeting; we were very disappointed.
"few" is correct because we're talking about a small, insufficient number of countable nouns (people) with a negative feeling.
Negative: few people came (disappointing)
Positive: a few people came (at least some)
3. Could I have milk in my coffee, please?
"a little" is correct because we're requesting a small amount of an uncountable noun (milk).
Request: a little milk (small amount)
Statement: There's little milk left (almost none)
4. We have apples; would you like one?
"a few" is correct because we're talking about a small but sufficient number of countable nouns (apples).
Positive: a few apples (enough to share)
Negative: few apples (not enough)
5. There's time left; we need to hurry!
"little" is correct because we're talking about a small, insufficient amount of an uncountable noun (time) with urgency.
Negative: little time left (not enough)
Positive: a little time left (some remaining)
6. She has friends in this city; she just moved here.
"few" is correct because we're implying she doesn't have enough friends (countable noun) in her new city.
Negative: few friends (not enough)
Positive: a few friends (some at least)
7. Add salt to the soup, just to taste.
"a little" is correct because we're talking about a small amount of an uncountable noun (salt) for a positive purpose.
Positive: a little salt (small amount needed)
Negative: little salt left (almost none)
8. students passed the exam; it was very difficult.
"few" is correct because we're talking about a small, insufficient number of countable nouns (students) with a negative implication.
Negative: few students passed (disappointing)
Positive: a few students passed (at least some)
9. Would you like sugar in your tea?
"a little" is correct because we're offering a small amount of an uncountable noun (sugar).
Offer: a little sugar (small amount)
Statement: There's little sugar left (almost none)
10. We have chairs; we need more for the party.
"few" is correct because we're talking about an insufficient number of countable nouns (chairs).
Negative: few chairs (not enough)
Positive: a few chairs (some available)
11. There's hope of finding the lost ring, but we'll keep looking.
"a little" is correct because we're talking about a small but existing amount of an uncountable noun (hope).
Positive: a little hope (some remains)
Negative: little hope (almost none)
12. people know the truth about what happened.
"few" is correct because we're implying that not enough people (countable noun) know the truth.
Negative: few people know (not enough)
Positive: a few people know (at least some)
13. I need help with this math problem.
"a little" is correct because we're requesting a small amount of an uncountable noun (help).
Request: a little help (some assistance)
Statement: There's little help available (almost none)
14. We've had complaints about the new policy, which is good.
"few" is correct because we're talking about a small number of countable nouns (complaints) seen as positive.
Positive context: few complaints (good thing)
Neutral: a few complaints (some exist)
15. There's butter left; enough for our toast.
"a little" is correct because we're talking about a small but sufficient amount of an uncountable noun (butter).
Positive: a little butter (enough)
Negative: little butter (not enough)
Grammar Summary: A Little/Little/A Few/Few
| Quantifier | Used with | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| a little | Uncountable nouns | Small but sufficient amount (positive) | I have a little time to help. |
| little | Uncountable nouns | Small, insufficient amount (negative) | There's little hope of finding it. |
| a few | Countable nouns | Small but sufficient number (positive) | She has a few good friends. |
| few | Countable nouns | Small, insufficient number (negative) | Few people attended the meeting. |
Key Differences:
a little/little vs a few/few: The first pair is for uncountable nouns, the second for countable nouns
a little/a few vs little/few: The "a" versions are more positive, suggesting "some" or "enough", while the versions without "a" are more negative, suggesting "not enough"
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