Few در مقابل Some: تفاوت چیست؟
few بار منفی داره و یعنی «خیلی کم و ناکافی»، اما some کاملاً بیطرفه و یعنی «یه مقداری».
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'some' for an unspecified amount and 'few' to emphasize a small, often disappointing, number of countable items.
- Use 'some' for both countable and uncountable nouns in positive sentences: 'I have some water.'
- Use 'few' (without 'a') to mean 'not many' or 'not enough': 'Few people attended.'
- Use 'a few' to mean 'a small number' in a positive way: 'I have a few friends.'
مرور کلی
some و few نقطه عطفی برای رسیدن به دقت و ظرافت در بیان است. اگرچه هر دو واژه به مقدار اشاره دارند، اما کاربرد آنها کاملاً متفاوت است. تفاوت اصلی در «بار معنایی» یا همان Connotation است.some و few نه تنها به تعداد، بلکه به نگرش گوینده بستگی دارد.some خنثی است و صرفاً به وجود مقداری نامشخص اشاره دارد. در مقابل، few دارای بار معنایی منفی است؛ یعنی تأکید میکند که مقدار موجود، کمتر از حد انتظار یا کمتر از حد نیاز است. این دقیقاً همان جایی است که زبانآموزان فارسیزبان دچار چالش میشوند، چرا که در فارسی، ما برای بیان «کم بودن» از قیدهایی استفاده میکنیم که لزوماً بار منفی ندارند.- 1برای اسامی قابل شمارش (Countable Nouns) مانند
booksیاfriends:
some: یک گزینه خنثی است. وقتی میگوییدsome friends، یعنی تعدادی دوست دارید و تعدادشان مهم نیست. معادل آن در فارسی «تعدادی» است.a few: به معنای «تعداد کمی» است اما همچنان بار مثبت یا خنثی دارد. یعنی تعداد کم است اما وجود دارد.few: دقیقاً به معنای «تعداد خیلی کم» است که حس «کافی نبودن» را القا میکند. در فارسی، گاهی با لحن جمله این حس را میرسانیم، اما در انگلیسی خودِ کلمه این بار معنایی را حمل میکند.
- 1برای اسامی غیرقابل شمارش (Uncountable Nouns) مانند
waterیاtime:
few هرگز استفاده نمیشود. به جای آن از little استفاده میکنیم. این یکی از بزرگترین تفاوتها با فارسی است، زیرا ما در فارسی «کم» را برای هر دو به کار میبریم (مثلاً «آب کم» و «دوست کم»)، اما انگلیسی بین این دو تفاوت قائل است.some | قابل شمارش/غیرقابل شمارش | خنثی | مقداری / تعدادی | I have some coffee. |a few | قابل شمارش (جمع) | خنثی/مثبت | تعداد کمی (اما کافی) | I have a few ideas. |few | قابل شمارش (جمع) | منفی | تعداد بسیار کم (ناکافی) | Few people know this. |a little | غیرقابل شمارش | خنثی/مثبت | مقدار کمی (اما کافی) | I have a little time. |little | غیرقابل شمارش | منفی | مقدار بسیار کم (ناکافی) | I have little time. |some زمانی استفاده کنید که میخواهید فقط وجود چیزی را بیان کنید. مثلاً در یک کافه در تهران وقتی میخواهید سفارش دهید: Can I have some sugar? (آیا میتوانم مقداری شکر داشته باشم؟). اینجا some کاملاً مناسب و مودبانه است.few در محیطهای رسمی یا زمانی که میخواهید بر کمبود تأکید کنید استفاده کنید. مثلاً اگر در یک جلسه کاری در دانشگاه هستید و بودجه پروژه تمام شده است: We have few resources left. این جمله نشان میدهد که وضعیت نگرانکننده است.a few برای بیان یک مقدار کوچک اما مثبت استفاده کنید. مثلاً: I have a few minutes to talk. (من چند دقیقهای وقت دارم تا صحبت کنم). این یعنی وقت دارم و میتوانم صحبت کنم.- 1استفاده از
fewبرای اسامی غیرقابل شمارش: فارسیزبانان به دلیل اینکه برای همه چیز از «کم» استفاده میکنند، گاهی میگویندfew moneyیاfew waterکه اشتباه است. باید بگوییدlittle money. - 2حذف
aقبل ازfew: وقتی میگوییدI have few friends، یعنی «من دوستان خیلی کمی دارم (و این باعث ناراحتی من است)». اما اگر منظورتان این است که «من چند تایی دوست دارم»، باید بگوییدI have a few friends. تفاوت در همین حرفaاست که در فارسی معادل مستقیمی ندارد. - 3نادیده گرفتن جمع بستن اسم: بعد از
fewوa fewهمیشه باید اسم جمع بیاید. مثلاًa few studentغلط است و باید بگوییدa few students.
a few در مقابل few | اولی یعنی «تعداد کمی وجود دارد»، دومی یعنی «تعداد خیلی کم است و کافی نیست» |some در مقابل any | some معمولاً در جملات مثبت و any در جملات منفی و سوالی به کار میرود |- 1آیا میتوانم همیشه از
someاستفاده کنم؟
some ایمنترین گزینه است، اما در متنهای رسمی یا زمانی که میخواهید دقیق باشید، حتماً از few یا little استفاده کنید تا منظور خود را دقیق برسانید.- 1چرا
fewمنفی است؟
a را از a few حذف میکنید، در واقع دارید میگویید «آنقدر کم که عملاً وجود ندارد». این ساختار برای تأکید بر فقدان است.- 1اگر در فارسی بخواهم بگویم «دوستان کمی دارم»، کدام را انتخاب کنم؟
I have few friends. اگر فقط میخواهید تعداد را بیان کنید، بگویید I have a few friends.Usage with Noun Types
| Quantifier | Countable Plural | Uncountable | Connotation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Some
|
Yes (some books)
|
Yes (some water)
|
Neutral
|
|
A few
|
Yes (a few pens)
|
No
|
Positive (enough)
|
|
Few
|
Yes (few pens)
|
No
|
Negative (not many)
|
|
A little
|
No
|
Yes (a little salt)
|
Positive (enough)
|
|
Little
|
No
|
Yes (little salt)
|
Negative (not much)
|
Meanings
These words are quantifiers used to describe the amount or number of something without being precise. 'Some' is general, while 'few' focuses on the smallness of the count.
Indefinite Quantity (Some)
Used to refer to an unspecified amount of an uncountable noun or an unspecified number of a countable noun.
“I need some milk for the coffee.”
“Some students were late today.”
Small Positive Number (A Few)
Used with plural countable nouns to indicate a small number, usually with a positive connotation (enough).
“I have a few minutes to talk.”
“A few people stayed after the show.”
Scarcity/Negative Emphasis (Few)
Used with plural countable nouns to emphasize that the number is very small, often implying 'not enough' or 'hardly any'.
“Few people know the truth.”
“He has few friends in this city.”
Reference Table
| کلمه | معنی | بار معنایی | کاربرد با اسمهای... | مثال |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
some
|
یه مقدار/تعدادی
|
خنثی و بیطرف
|
جمع شمردنی و غیرشمردنی
|
I need some sugar.
|
|
few
|
خیلی کم (ناچیز)
|
منفی و ناامیدکننده
|
فقط جمع شمردنی
|
Few guests remembered to RSVP.
|
|
a few
|
چند تا (کمی)
|
خنثی یا مثبت
|
فقط جمع شمردنی
|
I have a few emails to send.
|
|
little
|
خیلی کم (ناچیز)
|
منفی و ناامیدکننده
|
فقط غیرشمردنی
|
There's little hope left.
|
|
a little
|
یه ذره (کمی)
|
خنثی یا مثبت
|
فقط غیرشمردنی
|
Add a little salt.
|
طیف رسمیت
He possesses few acquaintances in the corporate sphere. (Social status)
He has few friends in the city. (Social status)
He doesn't really have many friends here. (Social status)
He's got like zero friends. (Social status)
نگاه سریع به Some در مقابل Few
انتخاب کلمه مناسب
آیا اسم شمردنیه (مثل friends)؟
میخوای روی کم بودن و ناامیدکننده بودن تاکید کنی؟
حس و حال کلمهها
بیطرف / مثبت
- Some any amount
- A Few a small number
- A Little a small amount
منفی / تاکیدی
- Few not many
- Little not much
هماهنگی با اسمها
برای اسمهای شمردنی
- • `Some` apples
- • `Few` apples
- • `A few` apples
برای اسمهای غیرشمردنی
- • `Some` water
- • `Little` water
- • `A little` water
مثالها بر اساس سطح
I have some apples in my bag.
I have some apples in my bag.
There are a few books on the table.
There are a few books on the table.
Can I have some water, please?
Can I have some water, please?
I see a few birds in the tree.
I see a few birds in the tree.
We need some eggs to make the cake.
We need some eggs to make the cake.
I have a few questions about the homework.
I have a few questions about the homework.
There are some people waiting outside.
There are some people waiting outside.
He only has a few dollars left.
He only has a few dollars left.
Few people attended the meeting because of the rain.
Few people attended the meeting because of the rain.
I've got a few ideas that might work for the project.
I've got a few ideas that might work for the project.
Could you give me some advice on which car to buy?
Could you give me some advice on which car to buy?
Very few students passed the difficult exam.
Very few students passed the difficult exam.
Some might say that the plan is too risky.
Some might say that the plan is too risky.
Few historical events have had such a lasting impact.
Few historical events have had such a lasting impact.
I have a few concerns regarding the new policy.
I have a few concerns regarding the new policy.
Some of the members were not present at the vote.
Some of the members were not present at the vote.
Few, if any, of the original buildings remain standing.
Few, if any, of the original buildings remain standing.
There is some truth to the rumors, though they are exaggerated.
There is some truth to the rumors, though they are exaggerated.
A few well-chosen words can change a person's mind.
A few well-chosen words can change a person's mind.
Few things are as important as family.
Few things are as important as family.
That was some party you threw last night!
That was some party you threw last night!
Few and far between are the opportunities for such a discovery.
Few and far between are the opportunities for such a discovery.
Some twenty years have passed since we last met.
Some twenty years have passed since we last met.
The critics had few good things to say about the premiere.
The critics had few good things to say about the premiere.
بهراحتی اشتباه گرفته میشود
Both mean 'not much/many', but learners use them with the wrong noun types.
Learners use 'some' in negative sentences.
Learners aren't sure which one is bigger.
اشتباهات رایج
I have few water.
I have some water.
I have some book.
I have some books.
I don't have some money.
I don't have any money.
A few people is here.
A few people are here.
I have few friends (when happy).
I have a few friends.
There are some of milk.
There is some milk.
He has a few of time.
He has a little time.
Few of students passed.
Few of the students passed.
I have a few interest in art.
I have some interest in art.
Quite few people came.
Quite a few people came.
The few of information we have...
The little information we have...
الگوهای جملهسازی
I have some ___ in my ___.
There are a few ___ on the ___.
Few people believe that ___.
Some of the ___ were ___.
Real World Usage
Hey, I'm gonna be a few mins late!
I have some experience with Python and a few projects on GitHub.
Can I get some extra napkins, please?
Few things are better than a beach day. ☀️
Some scholars argue that the data is inconclusive.
Walk for a few blocks and then turn left.
اگه شک داری، از Some استفاده کن
I bought some new books today.
هرگز few رو با غیرشمردنیها نیار
I have little money left.
استفاده از few برای تاکید بیشتر
Many applied, but few were chosen.
مراقب لحنت باش
Very few people attended the meeting.
Smart Tips
Always add the 'a' before 'few'. It makes you sound satisfied rather than disappointed.
Always use 'some' instead of 'any' to make the offer sound more welcoming.
Use 'few' to highlight a lack of evidence or support for an argument.
Try to put a number in front of it. If 'three waters' sounds weird, use 'some' or 'little'.
تلفظ
The 'a' in 'a few'
The 'a' is often reduced to a schwa /ə/ and linked to 'few'.
Some reduction
In fast speech, 'some' is reduced to /səm/.
Emphasis on 'Few'
There were FEW survivors. (Falling tone on few)
Emphasizes the sadness or shock of the small number.
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
A few is 'A'dditive (positive), Few is 'F'ailing (negative).
تداعی تصویری
Imagine a glass with a little water. If you say 'a few drops,' you are happy to have them. If you say 'few drops,' you are looking at a dry glass sadly.
Rhyme
With 'a' you have plenty, without 'a' it's empty.
Story
Sam had some apples. He gave a few to his friend, so he was happy. But then he had few apples left for himself, so he was sad.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Look around your room. Name 3 things you have 'some' of, 2 things you have 'a few' of, and 1 thing you have 'few' of.
نکات فرهنگی
British speakers often use 'a few' ironically to mean 'a lot'. For example, 'He's had a few' usually means someone is quite drunk.
In the Southern US, 'some' can be used for emphasis in ways like 'That's some big dog!'
In academic writing, 'few' is preferred over 'not many' to sound more objective and formal.
From Old English 'sum' (some) and 'fēawa' (few).
شروعکنندههای مکالمه
Do you have some free time this weekend?
Can you name a few things you love about your city?
Why do you think few people choose to live in the Arctic?
Some argue that social media is harmful. What is your take?
موضوعات نگارش
اشتباهات رایج
Test Yourself
Score: /3
تمرینهای عملی
8 exercisesI have ___ friends, so I never feel lonely.
I'm sad because ___ people came to my birthday party.
Find and fix the mistake:
I need few water to drink.
Not many people know about this place.
1. Some, 2. A few, 3. A little
'Few' and 'A few' can be used with the word 'Money'.
A: Are you hungry? B: Yes, can I have ___ cookies?
A few vs. Few
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesThe party was a bit sad. ___ people showed up.
Could you please buy ___ apples from the store? We don't need many.
There are a few water left in the bottle.
Choose the sentence that implies disappointment:
Translate into English: 'تعداد افرادی که فیزیک کوانتوم رو میفهمن کمه و این تحسینبرانگیزه.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the quantifiers with the noun types:
Of the hundreds of people at the conference, ___ came to our booth.
She has some knowledges about fixing cars.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'تعداد کم ولی خوبی از گزینهها در دسترسه.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /12
سوالات متداول (8)
Yes, but usually only for offers (`Would you like some?`) or requests (`Can I have some?`). For general questions, use `any`.
`A few` is positive (some/enough), while `few` is negative (not many/not enough).
Yes, using `few` without `a` is more common in formal writing and literature than in casual conversation.
Yes, use `a few of the` when referring to a specific group. Example: `A few of the students were late.`
Because `milk` is uncountable. You must use `little milk` or `some milk`.
Sometimes! In informal English, `some` + singular noun can mean 'an unknown person/thing'. Example: `Some guy called you.`
It's an idiom that actually means `a lot` or `a significant number`.
Yes. Example: `Many were invited, but few came.`
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
algunos / pocos
English uses the article 'a' to change the emotional tone.
quelques / peu
French 'quelques' is used more often than 'some' for countable items.
einige / wenige
German 'ein paar' (lowercase 'p') means 'a few', while 'ein Paar' (uppercase 'P') means 'a pair'.
いくつかの (ikutsuka no) / 少ない (sukunai)
Japanese lacks the count/uncount grammatical distinction.
بعض (ba'd) / قليل (qalil)
Arabic uses the same word for 'few' and 'little'.
一些 (yìxiē) / 很少 (hěn shǎo)
Chinese relies on measure words and lacks plural nouns.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
ویدیوهای مرتبط
08:53 ALPHA (2018) | Behind the Scenes of Adventure Movie
08:38 Protests over blackouts and increasing unemployment : South Africa | Latest English News
14:34 Laws of Genetics - Lesson 5 | Don't Memorise
تفاوت a few و few و some در زبان انگلیسی
English with Farzaneh
آموزش گرامر some, any, a few, a little
Academy Gram
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