Adjectives : Common errors(2)

Few and a few, Little and a little

9. (W) A few people will admit their faults.

(R) Few people will admit their faults.

10. (W) We can always rely on few people.

(R) We can always rely on a few people.

Note:- “Few” means not many and emphasizes the smallness of the number. It is

distinguished from “A Few”, which means at least some.

11. (W) There are just few apples left.

(R) There are just a few apples left.

12. (W) We have only little money.

(R) We have only a little money.

Note:- F. T. Wood says: “Adverbs such as only and just can be used before a few and a

little, but not before few and little.

13. (W) The patient slept a little and felt no better.

(R) The patient slept little and felt no better.

14. (W) He slept little and felt better.

(R) He slept a little and felt better.

Note:- “Little” means not much and emphasizes the smallness of the amount. It is distinguished from “a little” which means at least some.