Quantifiers: "few", "a few", "little" and "a bit of"

Do you know how to use a few, few, very little and a bit of?

Look at these examples to see how these quantifiers are used with countable and uncountable nouns.

• I have a few friends, so I'm not lonely.

• She has few friends, so she's quite lonely.

• We've got a bit of time before our train. Shall we get a coffee?

• We've got very little time before our train. Hurry up!

Explanation

A few and a little (or a bit of) mean some, often implying that the amount is sufficient or more than expected. We use a few with plural nouns and a little or a bit of with uncountable nouns. I have a few options to choose from.

A few and a bit of or a little mean some. Often we feel this amount is enough or more than we expected. We use a few with plural nouns and a bit of or a little with uncountable nouns.

• I have a few ideas.

• I've brought a few friends.

• There's a bit of milk left.

• It needs a little more work.

We use few and very little to show that we are talking about a small amount. Often we feel this amount is not enough or less than we expected. Few is for countable nouns and very little is for uncountable nouns.

• Few people came to the meeting.

• There are few places where you can still see these birds.

• We have very little time.

• I have very little money.

Note that you can use little without very, but it is less common and sounds quite formal.

• She had little water.