English Dictionary
Definition few in British English
few
determiner, pronoun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
determiner, pronoun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
Few can be used in the following ways:
as a determiner (followed by a plural noun): Few people live there now.There were a few animals in the barn.
as a pronoun: Many have tried, but few have succeeded.There were a few who refused to go. (followed by ‘of’): A few of the visitors left early.Few of the pictures are any good.
The few can be used as a noun phrase: Private schools are for the privileged few.
Few can be used as an adjective: Her few decent clothes were now dirty.
Don’t use a singular noun or an uncountable noun after few. Always use a plural noun:
✗ Few restaurant owner are satisfied, and most object to this regulation.
✓ Few restaurant owners are satisfied, and most object to this regulation.
With uncountable nouns, use little (not few):
✗ TV, video and computer games leave few space for dreaming and imagination.
✓ TV, video and computer games leave little space for dreaming and imagination.
✗ Poverty is when a country has very few food.
✓ Poverty is when a country has very little food.
Don’t confuse few and little with a few and a little:
✗ Criminals can get permission to leave the prison for few days on holiday.
✓ Criminals can get permission to leave the prison for a few days on holiday.
✗ An e-mail will be received in few minutes.
✓ An e-mail will be received in a few minutes.
Few and little generally have a negative meaning, referring to amounts that are smaller than you would like them to be:
At that time, there were few women in management positions.
In the UK little work of any description seems to have been done on human behaviour.
A few and a little simply refer to a small amount or number:
We’re having a few friends over for dinner.
The majority of injuries are superficial and, with a little care, heal quickly.
some, but not many
Outside there are only a few streetlights.
I spoke with a few colleagues about it.
During the past few months, police have interviewed over 200 people.
used for emphasizing that a number of people or things is very small, especially when the number is smaller than you would like or expect
The pictures were taken at one of his few public appearances.
She approached several people, but few were interested.
the car with the fewest mechanical problems
Poe and his colleagues are among the few to have tackled this question.
Why were there so few women in Parliament?
We get very few complaints of racial discrimination.
Their victories were few.
