11 Few and a few; little and a little
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(a) There's little hope of recovery.
Sentence (a) is very pessimistic.
(b) There is a little hope of recovery.
Sentence (b) has some optimism
(c) There is little time to prepare for the exams.
Sentence (c) suggests that it is almost too late,
(d) There is a little time to prepare for the exams.
Sentence (d) suggests that we still have some time.
A f e w I a little Both mean small amount or quantity and have a positive connotation. I've got a few contacts = although it is a small number, I do have some. We use a few + plural countable noun, a little + uncountable noun. These items are often taught at Elementary levels.
Few I little When we use few / little the meaning is similar to not many or not much. We uszfew + plural countable noun, little 4- uncountable noun. Both have a negative connotation that suggests a very small, perhaps insufficient, number or quantity. I've got few contacts = I have a very small number of contacts (perhaps not enough). Both can have a positive meaning. If the noun itself is a negative concept eg difficulties, headaches, obstacles, disputes, complaints, problems etc, having few of them may be good. We get very few complaints of racial discrimination. These items are often not taught until Intermediate levels.
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