B1 Confusable-words 15 min read Medio

Few vs. A-few vs. The-few: ¿Cuál es la diferencia?

A few es una observación neutral; few es un juicio negativo; the few es un grupo específico. Usa a few, few y the few.
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Practícalo

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'few' to emphasize a lack of something and 'a few' to emphasize that some exist.

  • 'Few' is negative: it means 'not many' or 'not enough' (e.g., Few people came).
  • 'A few' is positive: it means 'some' or 'a small number' (e.g., I have a few friends).
  • 'The few' is specific: it refers to a particular small group (e.g., The few books I own).
📉 Few | 📈 A few | 🎯 The few + [Plural Noun]

Overview

### Overview
Dominar el uso de los cuantificadores en inglés es uno de los pasos más importantes para pasar de un nivel básico a un nivel intermedio (B1) fluido. No se trata solo de aprender palabras, sino de entender la intención detrás de ellas. En español, solemos usar la palabra pocos o unos pocos para referirnos a una cantidad pequeña, pero en inglés, la diferencia entre few, a few y the few es mucho más sutil y poderosa.
Imagina que estás organizando una cena con amigos. Si dices a few friends are coming, transmites una sensación de entusiasmo:
vienen algunos amigos, ¡qué bien!
. Pero si dices few friends are coming, el tono cambia completamente a uno de decepción:
casi no viene nadie
.
Esa pequeña letra a transforma el significado emocional de la frase.
Para nosotros los hispanohablantes, este es un punto crítico porque en español tendemos a confiar en el contexto o en el tono de voz para diferenciar estas ideas. En inglés, la gramática hace ese trabajo por ti. Entender estas diferencias te permitirá sonar más natural, evitar malentendidos en el trabajo o en situaciones sociales, y expresar matices de escasez o suficiencia con la precisión de un hablante nativo.
En esta guía, exploraremos cómo estas tres formas operan sobre los sustantivos contables y cómo elegir la correcta según lo que realmente quieras decir.
### How This Grammar Works
Para entender cómo funcionan few, a few y the few, primero debemos recordar una regla de oro en inglés: la distinción entre sustantivos contables e incontables.
  • Sustantivos contables (Countable nouns): Son cosas que puedes contar individualmente (una manzana, dos manzanas). Ejemplos: books, people, ideas, bottles, problems.
  • Sustantivos incontables (Uncountable nouns): Son conceptos, masas o sustancias que no se pueden contar por unidades (agua, dinero, tiempo). Ejemplos: water, money, time, advice.
¡Ojo! few, a few y the few se usan exclusivamente con sustantivos contables en plural. Si quieres hablar de poca agua o poco tiempo, tendrías que usar little o a little, pero eso lo veremos más adelante.
#### 1. A few (Connotación positiva o neutral)
Cuando usamos a few, nos referimos a una cantidad pequeña, pero que consideramos suficiente o que vemos de manera positiva. Equivale a decir algunos o unos cuantos en español.
  • I have a few ideas for the project. (Tengo algunas ideas; es un buen comienzo).
  • We have a few minutes before the meeting starts. (Tenemos unos minutos; es tiempo suficiente para un café).
Aquí, el énfasis está en la presencia de algo, aunque sea poco.
#### 2. Few (Connotación negativa o de escasez)
Cuando quitamos el artículo a y usamos solo few, el significado se vuelve restrictivo. Sugiere que la cantidad es insuficiente, decepcionante o casi nada. Es un énfasis en la ausencia o la falta de algo.
  • Few people attended the conference. (Poca gente asistió; fue un fracaso o una decepción).
  • He has few friends in the city. (Tiene pocos amigos; se siente solo).
En español, esto se traduce simplemente como pocos, pero con un tono que implica que te gustaría que hubiera más.
#### 3. The few (Connotación específica)
El uso de the convierte al grupo en algo específico y definido. No estamos hablando de una cantidad cualquiera, sino de un grupo pequeño pero identificado que ya conocemos o que vamos a describir a continuación.
  • The few books I read this year were excellent. (Los pocos libros que leí... me refiero a esos libros específicos).
  • The few survivors were rescued. (Los pocos sobrevivientes... un grupo concreto).
### Formation Pattern
La estructura gramatical es bastante sencilla y sigue un patrón similar al español, lo cual es una ventaja para nosotros. Los cuantificadores siempre van delante del sustantivo contable en plural.
| Estructura | Función | Ejemplo en Inglés | Equivalente aproximado en Español |
|---|---|---|---|
| a few + sustantivo plural | Cantidad pequeña pero suficiente (Positivo) | I bought a few apples. | Compré unas cuantas manzanas. |
| few + sustantivo plural | Cantidad insuficiente o escasa (Negativo) | Few students passed the exam. | Pocos estudiantes aprobaron. |
| the few + sustantivo plural | Un grupo pequeño específico (Definido) | The few friends I have are loyal. | Los pocos amigos que tengo son leales. |
| a few of the + sustantivo plural | Una parte de un grupo específico | A few of the guests left early. | Unos pocos de los invitados se fueron temprano. |
Regla importante de formación:
Nunca uses estas formas con sustantivos en singular. No puedes decir a few book; siempre debe ser a few books.
Además, en contextos muy formales o literarios, es común ver very few para enfatizar aún más la escasez: There are very few opportunities like this. (Hay muy pocas oportunidades como esta).
### When To Use It
Elegir entre estas opciones depende totalmente de tu punto de vista. Imagina que estás en una oficina y hay tres galletas en un plato.
#### Cuándo usar a few:
Úsalo cuando quieras ser constructivo o mostrar que algo es posible.
  • En el trabajo: I have a few suggestions to improve the workflow. (Suena colaborativo).
  • En un viaje: I know a few good restaurants in Madrid. (Suena útil, tienes recomendaciones).
  • En la universidad: I have a few questions about the assignment. (Es una petición normal y educada).
#### Cuándo usar few:
Úsalo cuando quieras señalar un problema, una carencia o una rareza. Es muy común en reportes académicos o cuando te quejas de algo de forma sutil.
  • Crítica social: Few politicians actually listen to the youth. (Enfatiza la falta de escucha).
  • Situación difícil: The town has few resources to fight the fire. (Enfatiza el peligro por la falta de medios).
  • Rareza: Few people can speak more than five languages. (Enfatiza que no es algo común).
#### Cuándo usar the few:
Úsalo para destacar la calidad sobre la cantidad o para referirte a un grupo que ya mencionaste en la conversación.
  • En una serie de Netflix: Many characters died, but the few who survived are in danger. (Te refieres a esos personajes específicos).
  • Reconocimiento: The few volunteers did the work of a hundred people. (Destaca el valor de ese grupo pequeño).
### Common Mistakes
Como profesor, he notado que los hispanohablantes solemos caer en ciertas trampas debido a la interferencia de nuestro idioma materno (L1 transfer). Aquí te detallo las más importantes:
1. El error del Poco (Confundir Contables vs. Incontables)
En español usamos la palabra poco para todo: poco dinero y pocos amigos. En inglés, esto es un error grave.
  • Incorrecto: I have few money.
  • Correcto: I have little money.
  • Por qué sucede: Porque en español no distinguimos tan tajantemente entre lo que se cuenta por unidades y lo que se mide por masa. Recuerda: si puedes ponerle un número delante (1, 2, 3...), usa few. Si no puedes (no dices un dinero, dos dineros), usa little.
2. Olvidar el artículo a cuando quieres ser positivo
Este es el error más común de pragmática. Si invitas a alguien a salir y dices I have few ideas for tonight, la otra persona pensará que no tienes ganas de salir o que el plan es aburrido.
  • Incorrecto: I have few ideas for our trip! (Suena a que el viaje será un desastre).
  • Correcto: I have a few ideas for our trip! (Suena emocionante).
  • Por qué sucede: En español, tengo pocas ideas y
    tengo unas pocas ideas
    a veces se usan indistintamente, pero en inglés la diferencia de tono es radical.
3. El falso amigo de actually y currently con few
Muchos estudiantes intentan decir Actualmente hay pocos... y dicen Actually there are few....
  • ¡Ojo! Actually significa en realidad. Si quieres decir actualmente, usa Currently o Nowadays.
  • Ejemplo correcto: Currently, there are few affordable apartments in the city.
### Contrast With Similar Patterns
Es fundamental comparar Few con su contraparte para sustantivos incontables, Little. El mecanismo de la letra a funciona exactamente igual, lo que te facilitará la vida una vez que lo memorices.
| Cuantificador | Tipo de Sustantivo | Significado | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Few | Contable Plural | Escaso / Insuficiente | Few people know the truth. |
| A few | Contable Plural | Algunos / Suficiente | A few people know the truth. |
| Little | Incontable | Escaso / Insuficiente | I have little time to talk. |
| A little | Incontable | Algo / Suficiente | I have a little time to talk. |
Diferencia clave con Some:
A veces los estudiantes preguntan:
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre a few y some?
.
  • Some es más vago y puede indicar una cantidad mayor o simplemente una cantidad indefinida.
  • A few enfatiza específicamente que la cantidad es pequeña, aunque sea positiva.
### Quick FAQ
1. ¿Puedo usar few en una oración afirmativa?
¡Claro! Pero recuerda que le darás un tono negativo o formal. Si dices Few students like homework, estás haciendo una declaración general sobre la falta de entusiasmo de los estudiantes.
2. ¿Es correcto decir quite a few?
¡Muy buena pregunta! Esta es una expresión idiomática que confunde a muchos. Aunque lleva la palabra few, quite a few significa muchos o un número considerable.
  • Ejemplo: I have quite a few emails to answer. (Tengo bastantes correos, no pocos).
3. ¿Cómo sé si un sustantivo es contable o incontable en inglés?
La mayoría son lógicos (objetos físicos vs. conceptos), pero hay excepciones que nos vuelven locos a los hispanohablantes. Por ejemplo: advice (consejo), information (información) y bread (pan) son incontables en inglés.
Por lo tanto, nunca digas a few advices, debes decir a little advice o some advice.
4. ¿Puedo usar the few para hablar de personas?
Sí, y es muy común para resaltar a un grupo de élite o especial. Por ejemplo, el lema de los Marines de EE. UU. es The Few, The Proud (Los pocos, los orgullosos), refiriéndose a que no cualquiera puede ser parte de ese grupo selecto.

Quantifier Usage with Nouns

Quantifier Noun Type Tone Meaning
Few
Plural Countable
Negative
Not many / Not enough
A few
Plural Countable
Positive
Some / A small number
The few
Plural Countable
Specific
The specific small group
Very few
Plural Countable
Strongly Negative
Almost none
Quite a few
Plural Countable
Positive/Strong
A large number / Many
Only a few
Plural Countable
Restrictive
Just a small number

Meanings

These words are quantifiers used with plural countable nouns to describe small amounts, but they carry different emotional tones and grammatical functions.

1

Negative Quantity (Few)

Emphasizes the scarcity or insufficiency of something. It often implies disappointment or a small, underwhelming number.

“Few students passed the incredibly difficult exam.”

“I have few reasons to stay in this city.”

2

Positive Quantity (A few)

Emphasizes that at least some of something exists. It is synonymous with 'some' or 'a small handful'.

“I have a few ideas for the project.”

“We still have a few minutes before the train leaves.”

3

Specific Small Group (The few)

Refers to a specific, limited group of people or things that have already been mentioned or are defined by a following clause.

“The few people who stayed until the end were rewarded.”

“I cherish the few memories I have of my grandfather.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Few vs. A-few vs. The-few: ¿Cuál es la diferencia?
Término Significado Connotación / Sentimiento Ejemplo
`a few`
Un número pequeño; algunos
Neutral o ligeramente positivo
"I have `a few` ideas to share."
`few`
No muchos; casi ninguno
Negativo, pesimista, decepcionado
"He has `few` friends he can trust."
`the few`
El grupo pequeño específico
Específico, definido, enfocado
"Of the applicants, `the few` with experience were hired."
`very few`
Un número extremadamente pequeño
Muy negativo / enfatiza escasez
"`Very few` tickets are left."
`quite a few`
Un número sorprendentemente grande
Positivo, sorprendente
"`Quite a few` people came to the party!"
`a few of the`
Una pequeña selección de un grupo
Neutral, partitivo
"`A few of the` songs on the album are good."

Espectro de formalidad

Formal
Few individuals are privy to this information.

Few individuals are privy to this information. (sharing a secret)

Neutral
Few people know about this.

Few people know about this. (sharing a secret)

Informal
Not many people know.

Not many people know. (sharing a secret)

Jerga
Hardly anyone knows.

Hardly anyone knows. (sharing a secret)

Entendiendo 'Few'

Cantidades Pequeñas

Neutral / Factual

  • a few a small number

Negativo / Escasez

  • few not many / almost none

Específico / Definido

  • the few the specific small group

Few vs. A Few

Usa 'a few' para...
Sentimiento positivo I have `a few` friends.
Frases neutrales Just `a few` questions.
Usa 'few' para...
Sentimiento negativo I have `few` friends.
Expresar escasez `Few` options remain.

¿Qué 'Few' debo usar?

1

¿Es el sustantivo contable y plural?

YES
Continuar
NO
Usa 'little' / 'a little' en su lugar.
2

¿Hablas de un grupo ESPECÍFICO y definido?

YES
Usa 'the few'
NO
Continuar
3

¿El sentimiento es negativo o de decepción?

YES
Usa 'few'
NO
Usa 'a few'

Cuándo usar cada 'Few'

😊

Neutral / Positivo

  • • I'll be ready in `a few` minutes.
  • • She has `a few` good ideas.
😟

Negativo / Escasez

  • • He has `few` real supporters.
  • • `Few` people understood the film.
🎯

Grupo Específico

  • • `The few` who passed the test studied hard.
  • • She thanked `the few` who helped her move.
Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Ejemplos por nivel

1

I have a few pens in my bag.

I have some pens (positive).

2

She has a few brothers.

She has some brothers.

3

Can I have a few cookies?

Can I have some cookies?

4

There are a few cars on the street.

There are some cars.

1

Few people live in this cold desert.

Not many people live here (negative).

2

I have a few ideas for the party.

I have some ideas.

3

He has few friends because he is mean.

He doesn't have many friends.

4

We saw a few birds in the park.

We saw some birds.

1

The few students who finished early left the room.

The specific small group of students.

2

Quite a few people attended the wedding.

Many people attended.

3

Few politicians are truly honest.

Not many politicians (critical tone).

4

I only have a few days of vacation left.

I have a small number of days (restrictive).

1

Very few opportunities are as good as this one.

Extremely small number of opportunities.

2

The few remaining survivors were rescued.

The specific small group that survived.

3

A few of the components were damaged during shipping.

Some of the parts.

4

Few would deny that the climate is changing.

Almost everyone agrees (rhetorical).

1

The few, the proud, the Marines.

A specific elite group.

2

Few and far between are the moments of true peace.

Moments of peace are very rare.

3

He is one of the few who actually understands the theory.

He belongs to a very small specific group.

4

A few too many drinks led to a headache.

More drinks than was good (idiomatic).

1

Such instances are few, if any.

These cases almost never happen.

2

The few remaining vestiges of the old empire are fading.

The last small specific parts.

3

Few though they were, they fought bravely.

Even though they were small in number.

4

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

The majority vs the minority.

Fácil de confundir

Few vs. A-few vs. The-few: What's the Difference? vs Few vs. Little

Learners use 'few' for things like water or money because they are 'small'.

Few vs. A-few vs. The-few: What's the Difference? vs A few vs. Several

Both mean 'some', but 'several' usually implies a slightly larger number than 'a few'.

Few vs. A-few vs. The-few: What's the Difference? vs Quite a few vs. A few

Learners think 'quite' makes it smaller.

Errores comunes

✗

I have a few water.

✓

I have a little water.

Water is uncountable; use 'little'.
✗

I have a few friend.

✓

I have a few friends.

Always use a plural noun after 'few'.
✗

Few people is here.

✓

Few people are here.

Plural nouns need plural verbs.
✗

I have a few of books.

✓

I have a few books.

Don't use 'of' unless there is a determiner like 'the' or 'my'.
✗

I am sad because I have a few friends.

✓

I am sad because I have few friends.

If you are sad, use the negative 'few'.
✗

He has very a few books.

✓

He has very few books.

Don't use 'a' with 'very'.
✗

Only few people came.

✓

Only a few people came.

The phrase is 'only a few'.
✗

Quite a few means a small number.

✓

Quite a few means a large number.

This is an idiom meaning 'many'.
✗

The few people was happy.

✓

The few people were happy.

Subject-verb agreement with 'the few'.
✗

I have few of my friends here.

✓

I have a few of my friends here.

Use 'a few of' for specific groups.
✗

Few of the information was useful.

✓

Little of the information was useful.

Information is still uncountable at C1!

Patrones de oraciones

I have a few ___ in my ___.

Few people realize that ___.

The few ___ I own are ___.

Only a few ___ were able to ___.

Real World Usage

Texting a friend constant

I'll be there in a few minutes!

Job Interview common

I have a few questions about the company culture.

Academic Paper very common

Few researchers have addressed this gap.

Ordering Food occasional

Can I get a few extra napkins?

Social Media common

A few photos from my trip!

News Report very common

The few survivors were taken to the hospital.

Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos
💡

La 'A' es de 'Algo'

Piensa que la 'a' en a few significa 'al menos algunos'. Es una cantidad real. Si quitas la 'a', todo suena negativo:
I have a few ideas.
⚠️

La trampa de los incontables

Nunca uses few con cosas que no se pueden contar como water o money. Para eso usamos little:
I have a little money.
🎯

Usa 'Few' para impactar

En textos formales, empezar con Few suena muy potente y serio. Le da drama a tu frase:
Few could have predicted the outcome.
🌍

Modestia y cortesía

A veces usamos a few para no sonar presumidos, aunque sepamos mucho del tema. Es pura etiqueta:
I have a few thoughts on the matter.

Smart Tips

Remove the 'a'. Say 'I have few options' to show you are unhappy.

I have a few options. → I have few options.

Always use 'a few' after 'only'. 'Only few' is grammatically incorrect.

Only few people came. → Only a few people came.

Use 'quite a few'. It sounds more sophisticated than 'a lot'.

A lot of people liked the movie. → Quite a few people liked the movie.

Always add a description (relative clause) to explain which 'few' you mean.

The few people were happy. → The few people who won were happy.

Pronunciación

/ə fjuː/

The 'a' connection

In 'a few', the 'a' often blends into the 'f' sound.

I have *few* options.

Emphasis on 'Few'

When using 'few' negatively, we often stress the word 'few' to show disappointment.

Rising on 'a few'

Do you have a few minutes? ↗

Polite request

Falling on 'few'

There are few reasons to stay. ↘

Finality/Disappointment

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

The 'A' in 'A few' stands for 'Addition'—it adds a positive feeling and a little more quantity.

Asociación visual

Imagine a cookie jar. If you say 'Few cookies,' you are crying because the jar is almost empty. If you say 'A few cookies,' you are smiling because you have a snack.

Rhyme

With 'A' it's plenty, some to share. Without the 'A', the cupboard's bare.

Story

A traveler in a desert has 'few' drops of water (he is dying). He finds an oasis and now has 'a few' bottles of water (he is saved). Finally, he drinks 'the few' bottles he found to stay alive.

Word Web

somemanyseveralhandfulscarcitypluralcountable

Desafío

Look around your room. Find three things you have 'a few' of and one thing you have 'few' of. Say them out loud.

Notas culturales

Brits often use 'a few' as an understatement. If someone says 'I've had a few,' they might actually mean they are quite drunk.

In research, 'few' is used to politely disagree with a majority opinion.

The phrase 'The Few, The Proud' is a famous US Marine Corps slogan, using 'the few' to imply elite status.

From Old English 'fēawa', meaning 'not many'.

Inicios de conversación

“

Do you have a few minutes to talk about your weekend?

“

Why do you think few people travel to Antarctica?

“

Can you name a few books that changed your life?

“

In your country, are there few opportunities for young people?

Temas para diario

Write about a time you had few resources but still succeeded.
Describe a few goals you want to achieve this year.
Discuss the 'lucky few' who get to travel to space.
If you had only a few days left to live, what would you do?

Errores comunes

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

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Test Yourself

Elige la palabra correcta para completar la oración.

I'm feeling optimistic! I have ___ job interviews lined up this week.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a few
A few es correcto porque el tono es optimista. Few implicaría decepción.
Encuentra y corrige el error en la oración. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Sadly, few people attended the charity event, but a few of people who did donated generously.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sadly, few people attended the charity event, but the few who did donated generously.
La primera parte usa few bien por la tristeza. La segunda necesita the few porque habla de ese grupo específico.
¿Qué oración es gramaticalmente correcta? Opción múltiple

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I need a little advice before my trip.
Advice es incontable, así que debes usar a little, no a few ni few.

Score: /3

Ejercicios de practica

8 exercises
Choose the correct word based on the tone. Opción múltiple

I'm so lonely. I have ___ friends in this city.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: few
The speaker is lonely, so we need the negative 'few'.
Fill in the blank with 'few' or 'a few'.

Don't worry, we still have ___ minutes before the movie starts.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a few
'Don't worry' implies a positive/sufficient amount.
Correct the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

I have a few money in my wallet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I have a little money
Money is uncountable, so 'few' cannot be used.
Match the phrase to its meaning. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all
These are the core meanings.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

people / few / the / truth / know

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Few people know the truth
Subject + Verb + Object.
Select the best option. Opción múltiple

___ students who passed the test were very happy.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The few
We are talking about a specific group (those who passed).
Fill the blank.

I only have ___ days left of my holiday.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a few
The phrase is 'only a few'.
Select the best option. Opción múltiple

There were ___ people at the party, so it was quite crowded!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quite a few
'Crowded' implies many people.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Elige la palabra correcta para completar la oración. Completar huecos

The report was poorly written and contained ___ useful insights.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: few
Elige la palabra correcta para completar la oración. Completar huecos

Of the hundred contestants, ___ who solved the puzzle in under a minute moved to the final round.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: the few
Encuentra y corrige el error. Error Correction

He's very popular and has a few enemies.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He's very popular and has few enemies.
¿Cuál es correcta? Opción múltiple

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: There are few reasons to be pessimistic.
¿Qué oración implica un sentimiento negativo? Opción múltiple

Choose the sentence that implies a negative feeling:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We have few options left.
Escribe la oración correcta en inglés. Traducción

Traduce: 'De todas mis fotos, el grupo específico que ganó premios son mis favoritas.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Of all my photos, the few that won awards are my favorites.","The few of my photos that won awards are my favorites."]
Pon las palabras en orden. Sentence Reorder

Ordena las palabras:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: There are only a few tickets left.
Pon las palabras en orden. Sentence Reorder

Ordena las palabras:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The few who volunteered were brave.
Une cada término con su significado. Match Pairs

Empareja el término con su significado:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Elige la palabra correcta. Completar huecos

Can you pass me ___ paper clips from that box?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a few
Corrige el error. Error Correction

His plan was so risky that a few people supported it.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: His plan was so risky that few people supported it.
Escribe la oración en inglés. Traducción

Traduce: 'Estoy decepcionado. Esperaba muchas respuestas, pero recibí muy pocas.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["I'm disappointed. I expected many responses, but I received few.","I'm disappointed. I expected many responses, but I received very few."]

Score: /12

Preguntas frecuentes (8)

'Few' is negative (not many/not enough), while 'a few' is positive (some).

No, 'money' is uncountable. You must use 'little' or 'a little'.

No, it actually means 'many' or 'a large number'.

Yes, 'few' without 'a' is often found in formal or academic writing.

It refers to a specific small group, often followed by a relative clause like 'who' or 'that'.

No, you can say 'very few' or 'only a few', but never 'very a few'.

Technically they can represent the same number, but 'a few' feels like more because it is positive.

Usually it means 3 or 4, but it depends on the context.

Scaffolded Practice

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4

Mastery Progress

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

pocos / unos pocos

Spanish also uses 'poco' for 'little', which causes confusion between few/little.

French moderate

peu / un peu / quelques

French often uses 'quelques' where English prefers 'a few'.

German high

wenige / ein paar

'Ein paar' (a few) is different from 'Ein Paar' (a pair/two).

Japanese low

sukoshi / wazuka

Japanese doesn't use articles to distinguish positive/negative quantity.

Arabic moderate

qaleel / ba'd

Arabic nouns change form significantly after numbers and quantifiers.

Chinese low

hen shao / ji ge

Chinese lacks the count/uncount distinction in the same way English has it.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Encase vs. Incase vs. In-case: ¿Cuál es la diferencia?
Next
Few vs. Some: ¿Cuál es la diferencia?

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