FEW, A FEW...

By Ranjana S

FEW

suggests "a small number opposed to many."

A FEW---suggests "a small number opposed to none."

When your expectation or norm is a large number, use few to denote a contrast.

ex- We hired a big bus, but few passengers turned up.

When your expectation or norm is a smaller number or zero, then use a few to denote a contrast.

ex- We didn't expect people at the concert, but a few did turn up.

If you use the phrases "only a few" and "just a few" they denote few and NOT a few.

LITTLE, A LITTLE

They hold the similar distinction.

LITTLE---He drinks little milk.

A LITTLE---Try a little wine and you'll feel energized.

"a good few" and "quite a few" may be phrases seeming to be odd but are established idioms.

"comparatively few" or "a comparative few" can be used.

We CANNOT use "a comparatively few" of them attended the seminar, though it is widely used.

Few and fewer are often used to qualify the noun number or numbers which is inappropriate owing to the fact that few already contains the idea of a number.

• Prospective contenders for the job have been discouraged, and are applying in fewer numbers than in previous years. ---INCORRECT
• The number of mosquitoes is relatively few this season. ----INCORRECT

Numbers can be low or small, not few.

However, the phrase few in number, is a long established idiom and acceptable.

This year's contenders for the job are relatively few in number.