Level B1

Few vs Little (a few vs a little)

Things we count take few (a few apples), things we don't count take little (a little water). With a it means some; without a it means almost none.

I have a few friends.

Look: I have a few friends. Friends can be counted, so few.

Forms

• a few apples — apples can be counted: one, two, three, so few
• a little water — water is not counted one by one, so little
• a few friends / few friends — with a: some, and that's good; without a: almost none

A common mistake

Wrong: Add a few salt.

Right: Add a little salt.

Many people say a few salt, but salt is not counted one by one. We say: Add a little salt.

More examples

We have very little time.

Time is like water, we don't count it one by one: We have very little time.

A few students came early.

Students can be counted, so few: A few students came early.