Difference Between Few, A Few, Little and A Little

Understanding the difference between few a few little and a little is essential for mastering English grammar. These small words change the meaning of sentences significantly. This guide explains their usage with 100 examples, meanings, important tips for students and exam candidates, FAQs, and more. Learn to use them correctly in competitive exams and daily English.

Introduction to Difference Between Few, A Few, Little and A Little

The difference between few a few little and a little often confuses English learners. Though these words are small, they completely change the meaning of a sentence. Understanding their proper usage helps in speaking and writing more accurately, especially for students preparing for competitive examinations and English language tests.

Explanation

1. Few – Means almost none (negative sense). Used with countable nouns.
   • Example: Few students passed the exam. (Almost none passed)
2. A Few – Means some but not many (positive sense). Used with countable nouns.
   • Example: A few students passed the exam. (Some passed)
3. Little – Means almost nothing (negative sense). Used with uncountable nouns.
   • Example: There is little water in the bottle. (Almost no water)
4. A Little – Means some amount (positive sense). Used with uncountable nouns.
   • Example: There is a little water in the bottle. (Some water)

100 Examples of Difference Between Few, A Few, Little and A Little

I. Few (Negative Sense – Countable Nouns)

1. Few students came to class. (Almost none attended)
2. Few friends helped him in trouble. (Almost none helped)
3. Few buses stop here at night. (Almost none stop)
4. Few people like bitter medicine. (Almost none like)
5. Few children know this story. (Almost none know)
6. Few passengers boarded the train. (Almost none boarded)
7. Few shops are open today. (Almost none open)
8. Few answers were correct. (Almost none correct)
9. Few teachers supported the idea. (Almost none supported)
10. Few workers reported to duty. (Almost none reported)
11. Few birds can fly at night. (Almost none can)
12. Few farmers benefited from the scheme. (Almost none benefited)
13. Few friends remember old promises. (Almost none remember)
14. Few actors perform without practice. (Almost none perform)
15. Few cars are parked outside. (Almost none parked)
16. Few teams won the championship. (Almost none won)
17. Few neighbors talk politely. (Almost none talk)
18. Few questions were easy. (Almost none easy)
19. Few employees agreed to the plan. (Almost none agreed)
20. Few leaders care about the poor. (Almost none care)
21. Few visitors attended the museum. (Almost none attended)
22. Few students understand advanced math. (Almost none understand)
23. Few plants grow in deserts. (Almost none grow)
24. Few candidates passed the exam. (Almost none passed)
25. Few people respect time. (Almost none respect)

II. A Few (Positive Sense – Countable Nouns)

26. A few students stayed back to study. (Some students stayed)
27. A few friends visited me. (Some friends visited)
28. A few buses run early in the morning. (Some buses run)
29. A few people liked the movie. (Some liked)
30. A few children won prizes. (Some children won)
31. A few passengers waited at the station. (Some passengers waited)
32. A few shops are still open. (Some shops open)
33. A few answers were correct. (Some correct)
34. A few teachers supported the decision. (Some supported)
35. A few workers completed the task. (Some completed)
36. A few birds sat on the tree. (Some sat)
37. A few farmers got benefits. (Some benefited)
38. A few friends called me. (Some friends called)
39. A few actors performed well. (Some performed)
40. A few cars are parked nearby. (Some parked)
41. A few teams reached the finals. (Some reached)
42. A few neighbors offered help. (Some offered)
43. A few questions were easy. (Some easy)
44. A few employees agreed to join. (Some agreed)
45. A few leaders worked honestly. (Some worked)
46. A few visitors entered the hall. (Some entered)
47. A few students understood the topic. (Some understood)
48. A few plants grew quickly. (Some grew)
49. A few candidates passed the test. (Some passed)
50. A few people respect time. (Some respect)

III. Little (Negative Sense – Uncountable Nouns)

51. Little water is in the pot. (Almost none)
52. Little hope remains now. (Almost none)
53. Little sugar is left in the jar. (Almost none)
54. Little interest was shown in the meeting. (Almost none)
55. Little patience is in him. (Almost none)
56. Little time is available. (Almost none)
57. Little money is with me. (Almost none)
58. Little sleep refreshed him. (Almost none)
59. Little confidence was seen. (Almost none)
60. Little energy is in my body. (Almost none)
61. Little work is finished. (Almost none)
62. Little food was cooked. (Almost none)
63. Little knowledge is dangerous. (Almost none)
64. Little progress was made. (Almost none)
65. Little light entered the room. (Almost none)
66. Little rain fell last year. (Almost none)
67. Little truth is spoken. (Almost none)
68. Little peace is found here. (Almost none)
69. Little happiness exists in that home. (Almost none)
70. Little courage was shown. (Almost none)
71. Little strength is left. (Almost none)
72. Little honesty is practiced. (Almost none)
73. Little help came from others. (Almost none)
74. Little warmth was felt. (Almost none)
75. Little love was given. (Almost none)

IV. A Little (Positive Sense – Uncountable Nouns)

76. A little water quenched my thirst. (Some water)
77. A little hope still exists. (Some hope)
78. A little sugar is in the bowl. (Some sugar)
79. A little interest was shown. (Some interest)
80. A little patience solved the problem. (Some patience)
81. A little time is left for the exam. (Some time)
82. A little money is saved. (Some money)
83. A little sleep is enough. (Some sleep)
84. A little confidence helps. (Some confidence)
85. A little energy remains. (Some energy)
86. A little work is pending. (Some work)
87. A little food is available. (Some food)
88. A little knowledge is useful. (Some knowledge)
89. A little progress is made. (Some progress)
90. A little light brightened the room. (Some light)
91. A little rain fell yesterday. (Some rain)
92. A little truth was spoken. (Some truth)
93. A little peace was restored. (Some peace)
94. A little happiness filled the home. (Some happiness)
95. A little courage was shown. (Some courage)
96. A little strength helped me. (Some strength)
97. A little honesty is appreciated. (Some honesty)
98. A little help came in time. (Some help)
99. A little warmth was felt. (Some warmth)
100. A little love was shown. (Some love)

Important Tips for Students & Exam Candidates

• Few vs. A Few: Both used with countable nouns. “Few” = almost none, “A few” = some.
• Little vs. A Little: Both used with uncountable nouns. “Little” = almost nothing, “A little” = some amount.
• Always check whether the noun is countable or uncountable before choosing.
• In competitive exams, spotting the positive or negative sense is the key to the right answer.

FAQs on Difference Between Few, A Few, Little and A Little

Q1: What is the main difference between few and a few?

• “Few” means hardly any (negative), while “a few” means some (positive).

Q2: Can we use little with countable nouns?

• No, “little/a little” are only used with uncountable nouns. For countable nouns, use “few/a few.”

Q3: Why is this topic important for exams?

• Questions on the difference between few a few little and a little are common in competitive exams and language tests, as they check grammar precision.

Conclusion on Difference Between Few, A Few, Little and A Little

The difference between few a few little and a little lies in the sense they convey: negative or positive, and whether the noun is countable or uncountable. Mastering this usage helps students and exam aspirants score better in English grammar sections and also improves effective communication.

Disclaimer on Difference Between Few, A Few, Little and A Little

This article is for educational purposes only. Examples are simplified to explain grammar concepts. Students should also practice with official exam materials for thorough preparation.

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