Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'a' for a positive feeling (enough) and no 'a' for a negative feeling (not enough).
- Use 'a few' or 'few' with plural countable nouns like 'friends' or 'books'.
- Use 'a little' or 'little' with uncountable nouns like 'water' or 'time'.
- Adding 'a' makes it positive ('some'); removing 'a' makes it negative ('hardly any').
Overview
a few, few, a little, little과 같은 수량 형용사(Quantifiers)를 자주 접하게 됩니다. 한국어에는 '조금', '적은'과 같이 상황에 따라 유연하게 쓰는 단어들이 있지만, 영어에서는 이 단어들이 단순히 양을 나타내는 것을 넘어 화자의 태도(attitude)와 뉘앙스를 결정합니다. 한국어의 '조금'은 긍정적인지 부정적인지 문맥에 따라 해석되지만, 영어는 관사 a의 유무를 통해 이를 명확히 구분합니다.little 계열을 써야 합니다.a의 유무로 결정됩니다. a가 있으면 '긍정적/충분함(positive/sufficient)'을 의미하고, a가 없으면 '부정적/부족함(negative/insufficient)'을 의미합니다. 이는 한국어의 '조금 있다(긍정)'와 '거의 없다(부정)'의 차이와 유사하지만, 영어는 이를 단어 자체에 내포하고 있습니다.a few | 복수 가산 | 긍정/충분 | 조금 있지만, 충분함 | I have a few friends here. (외롭지 않음) |few | 복수 가산 | 부정/부족 | 거의 없음 (부족함) | Few people know the truth. (거의 몰라서 문제임) |a little | 불가산 | 긍정/충분 | 조금 있지만, 충분함 | I have a little money. (쓸 수 있음) |little | 불가산 | 부정/부족 | 거의 없음 (부족함) | I have little money. (거의 없어서 못 씀) |I have a little time은 '어느 정도 시간이 있다'는 긍정적 뉘앙스를, I have little time은 '시간이 거의 없어서 촉박하다'는 긴박한 뉘앙스를 확실히 전달합니다.(a) few는 반드시 복수형 명사와 함께 쓰이며, (a) little은 단수 형태의 불가산 명사와 함께 쓰입니다. 가장 중요한 것은 수 일치(Subject-Verb Agreement)입니다.- 가산 명사 패턴:
(a) few+plural noun+plural verb - 예:
A few students are waiting.(학생들이 몇 명 기다리고 있다.) - 예:
Few students know the answer.(답을 아는 학생이 거의 없다.)
- 불가산 명사 패턴:
(a) little+uncountable noun+singular verb - 예:
A little water is left.(물이 조금 남아 있다.) - 예:
Little hope remains.(희망이 거의 남아 있지 않다.)
(a) few + 복수명사 + 복수동사 | A few ideas were shared. |(a) little + 불가산명사 + 단수동사 | A little effort is needed. |few 뒤에 단수 명사를 쓰는 것은 문법적으로 치명적인 오류입니다. 항상 few books와 같이 복수형을 유지해야 함을 명심하세요.- 1
a few와a little: 상황을 낙관적으로 보거나, 현재 있는 양이 필요를 충족할 때 사용합니다. 예를 들어, 카페에서I have a few minutes
라고 하면 «커피 한 잔 마실 시간은 된다»는 긍정적 의미입니다. - 2
few와little: 상황을 비관적으로 보거나, 양이 현저히 부족하여 문제라고 느낄 때 사용합니다.Few people attended the meeting
이라고 하면 «참석자가 너무 적어서 회의가 제대로 진행되지 않았다»는 비판적 시각이 들어갑니다.
We have a little budget이라고 하면 예산이 조금이라도 남아있으니 진행하겠다는 뜻이지만,
We have little budget이라고 하면 예산이 거의 바닥나서 추가 진행이 불가능하다는 경고의 의미가 됩니다. 이 차이를 모르면 업무상 큰 오해가 생길 수 있습니다.
- 1가산/불가산 혼동: 한국어는 셀 수 없는 명사도 '개'나 '조각'으로 세는 경향이 있어,
information이나furniture를 가산 명사로 취급합니다.
- 실수:
I have a few informations. - 이유: 한국어는 '정보'를 셀 수 있다고 생각하기 때문입니다.
information은 불가산 명사이므로a little information이 맞습니다.
- 1부정어 강조의 중복:
few와little자체가 '거의 없는'이라는 부정적 의미를 포함합니다.
- 실수:
There are not few people. - 이유: 'not'을 습관적으로 붙이는데, 이는 이중부정이 됩니다.
Few people are there자체가 이미 부정문과 같은 역할을 합니다.
- 1
of의 오남용:a few뒤에 바로 명사가 오는데of를 넣는 오류입니다.
- 실수:
A few of people are here. - 이유:
some of,many of와 혼동하기 때문입니다.A few는 바로 명사를 수식합니다.A few of the people처럼 특정 집단을 지칭할 때만of가 가능합니다.
few/little과 some/any를 혼동하는 경우가 많습니다. some과 any는 양의 많고 적음보다는 '존재 여부'에 초점을 맞춥니다.a few / a little | 수량이 적지만 '있음' 강조 | 긍정적, 충분함 |few / little | 수량이 '거의 없음' 강조 | 부정적, 부족함 |some | 수량과 관계없이 '막연한 양' | 중립적, 존재함 |any | 의문문/부정문에서 '존재 여부' 확인 | 중립적, 불확실함 |I have some friends는 단순히 친구가 있다는 사실을 말하지만, I have a few friends는 친구가 많지는 않지만 어느 정도 있다는 뉘앙스를 줍니다.few 앞에 very를 붙여서 very few라고 써도 되나요?very few는 부정적 의미를 더 강조하여 '극소수의'라는 뜻이 됩니다.a little bit과 a little은 어떻게 다른가요?a little bit은 구어체에서 더 강조할 때 쓰며 의미는 같습니다. 하지만 a little이 더 격식 있는 표현입니다.money는 셀 수 없나요?money는 추상적인 개념으로 보아 불가산 명사입니다. 그래서 a little money라고 합니다. 하지만 dollar나 won처럼 화폐 단위는 셀 수 있으므로 a few dollars라고 합니다.Quantifier Selection Matrix
| Noun Type | Positive (Enough) | Negative (Not Enough) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Countable (Plural)
|
A few
|
Few
|
Small number
|
|
Uncountable
|
A little
|
Little
|
Small amount
|
|
Countable (Plural)
|
Quite a few
|
N/A
|
Many (Idiomatic)
|
|
Uncountable
|
Quite a little
|
N/A
|
Much (Rare/Formal)
|
Meanings
These quantifiers describe small amounts. The choice depends on whether the noun is countable and whether the speaker views the amount as sufficient or insufficient.
A few (Countable, Positive)
A small number, but enough to be useful or satisfying.
“I have a few friends in London who can help us.”
“We only need a few more minutes to finish.”
Few (Countable, Negative)
Not many; a small number that is disappointing or insufficient.
“Few people attended the meeting, so we cancelled it.”
“He has few friends and often feels lonely.”
A little (Uncountable, Positive)
A small amount, but enough to be useful or satisfying.
“I have a little money, so I can buy us coffee.”
“Could you give me a little help with this box?”
Little (Uncountable, Negative)
Not much; a small amount that is disappointing or insufficient.
“I have little money left after paying the rent.”
“There is little point in arguing with him.”
Quite a few (Intensifier)
Surprisingly many; a fairly large number.
“I've been to Paris quite a few times.”
“Quite a few people showed up for the protest.”
Reference Table
| 수량 형용사 | 명사 종류 | 뉘앙스 | 의미 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
`a few`
|
셀 수 있는 명사 (복수)
|
긍정적/중립적
|
조금 있는, 몇몇의 (충분함)
|
|
`few`
|
셀 수 있는 명사 (복수)
|
부정적
|
거의 없는 (불충분함)
|
|
`a little`
|
셀 수 없는 명사
|
긍정적/중립적
|
조금 있는 (충분함)
|
|
`little`
|
셀 수 없는 명사
|
부정적
|
거의 없는 (불충분함)
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
I possess little capital at present. (financial status)
I have little money right now. (financial status)
I've got a bit of cash. (financial status)
I'm a bit short. (financial status)
수량 형용사 선택의 갈림길
셀 수 있는 명사
- `a few` Positive, some, sufficient
- `few` Negative, not many, insufficient
셀 수 없는 명사
- `a little` Positive, some, sufficient
- `little` Negative, not much, insufficient
Few/Little vs. A Few/A Little 비교
나에게 맞는 수량어 찾기
명사를 셀 수 있나요?
긍정적이거나 중립적인 느낌인가요?
긍정적이거나 중립적인 느낌인가요?
가산 명사 vs 불가산 명사 구분
셀 수 있는 명사
- • Books
- • Ideas
- • Minutes
- • Messages
- • Opportunities
- • Friends
셀 수 없는 명사
- • Water
- • Information
- • Time
- • Advice
- • Patience
- • Money
수준별 예문
I have a few apples.
Can I have a little water?
There are a few books on the table.
I need a little help.
She has a few friends at school.
We have a little time before the movie.
He speaks a little English.
I bought a few clothes yesterday.
I have a few ideas for the party, but I need more.
Unfortunately, few people came to the show.
There is little hope for a quick recovery.
I have a little money saved for the trip.
Few politicians are willing to admit their mistakes.
There is little evidence to support your theory.
I've had quite a few problems with this new software.
With a little luck, we'll arrive on time.
Little did she realize that her life was about to change.
Few, if any, of the participants understood the complexity.
There is precious little time left to address climate change.
The opportunities for advancement are few and far between.
The argument carries little weight in the current legal climate.
To say he was surprised is an understatement; he had few words to express his shock.
Such instances of bravery are few indeed in the annals of history.
There remains a little-known clause in the contract that changes everything.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners often think they are the same. 'Several' usually implies a slightly larger number than 'a few'.
Learners use 'little' to describe size when they should use 'small', or vice versa.
The addition of 'quite' completely reverses the meaning of 'few'.
자주 하는 실수
I have a little friends.
I have a few friends.
I have a few water.
I have a little water.
I have few money.
I have little money.
He has a few sugar.
He has a little sugar.
I have little friends, so I am happy.
I have a few friends, so I am happy.
There are little cars on the road.
There are few cars on the road.
I need a few advice.
I need a little advice.
Few of my friends doesn't like pizza.
Few of my friends like pizza.
I have quite few books.
I have quite a few books.
He has a little interest in the job, so he quit.
He had little interest in the job, so he quit.
Little he knew about the surprise.
Little did he know about the surprise.
문장 패턴
I have ___ (countable noun) in my bag.
There is ___ (uncountable noun) left in the fridge.
___ people realize how difficult this is.
With ___ help, we can finish this project.
Real World Usage
I've got a few mins if u wanna call.
I have a little experience in coding, but I am eager to learn.
Few researchers have explored this phenomenon.
Can I have a little more sauce, please?
Only a few people saw my last post.
There are few hotels in this area.
가산성부터 확인하세요
I have few ideas.
'A' 하나로 의미가 확 바뀌어요
I have a few friends.
강조할 땐 'Quite A Few'
Quite a few people attended.
뉘앙스가 대화의 분위기를 결정해요
Few opportunities were available.
Smart Tips
Remove the 'a'. It makes you sound more serious and emphasizes the problem.
Don't be fooled by the word 'few'. This phrase actually means 'a lot'.
Use 'few' or 'little' at the start of a sentence to introduce a gap in knowledge.
Try to make it plural. If you can't say 'informations' or 'advices', it's uncountable—use 'little'.
발음
The 'a' link
In 'a few' and 'a little', the 'a' is often reduced to a schwa /ə/ and linked to the next word.
Emphasis on 'Few' or 'Little'
I have FEW friends. (Falling tone on few)
Emphasizes the sadness or lack.
암기하기
기억법
Think of 'A' as 'Addition'. It adds a positive feeling to the sentence.
시각적 연상
Imagine a glass of water. 'A little' is a glass that is small but has enough to drink. 'Little' is a glass that is almost empty, making you sad.
Rhyme
With an 'A', it's okay. Without an 'A', it's a gray day.
Story
A traveler in the desert has 'a little' water and feels hopeful. Another traveler has 'little' water and fears they won't make it. The first traveler meets 'a few' friends and celebrates; the second meets 'few' people and feels lonely.
Word Web
챌린지
Look around your room. Find 3 things you have 'a few' of and 1 thing you have 'little' of. Say them out loud.
문화 노트
British speakers often use 'a bit of' as a synonym for 'a little' in informal contexts.
In the US, 'a little bit' is extremely common to soften requests or complaints.
Using 'little' or 'few' without 'a' is preferred in research papers to show a lack of evidence or previous study.
From Old English 'fēawa' (few) and 'lytel' (little).
대화 시작하기
Do you have a few minutes to talk about your weekend?
Why do you think few people choose to live in the Arctic?
If you had a little extra money, what would you buy?
In your opinion, are there few opportunities for young people today?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
We have ___ time left to finish this assignment.
Find and fix the mistake:
I have a little friends at my new school.
Choose the correct sentence:
다음 문장을 영어로 번역하세요: '지갑에 돈이 조금밖에 없어요.'
Answer starts with: ["I...
Score: /4
연습 문제
8 exercisesI have ___ friends, so I never feel lonely.
We have ___ time left, so we must hurry!
Find and fix the mistake:
I have a few money in my pocket.
Not many people know the secret.
Select the uncountable noun.
Person A: Are you hungry? Person B: Just ___. I had a big lunch.
'Quite a few' means 'not many'.
There / be / ___ / hope / for / the / team.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesAfter the long meeting, I had ___ energy left for anything else.
올바른 문장을 선택하세요:
There are little options for vegetarian food here.
영어로 번역하세요: '발표를 위한 아이디어가 몇 개 있어요.'
단어를 순서대로 배열하세요:
명사 종류와 알맞은 긍정 수량어를 연결하세요:
She had ___ success in finding a summer internship.
There are only a little chairs left in the auditorium.
영어로 번역하세요: '이 어려운 질문의 답을 아는 사람은 거의 없다.'
단어를 조합해 문장을 만드세요:
어느 문장이 문법적으로 맞나요?
Score: /11
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Yes, but that is an adjective describing size, not a quantifier. 'A little boy' is correct for size, but 'little water' is for quantity.
Yes, `few` and `little` (without 'a') are generally more formal and are common in literature and academic writing.
It is an idiom meaning 'extremely little' or 'hardly any at all'. It emphasizes the lack.
Yes, when referring to a specific group. Example: `A few of the students` stayed late.
In English, 'money' is a concept/mass noun. You count 'dollars' or 'euros' (countable), but not 'moneys'.
Yes, 'a little bit' is just a more informal and common way to say 'a little'.
Yes. Example: 'Many were invited, but `few` came.'
Not exactly. It generally means a small number, usually between 2 and 5.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
pocos / unos pocos
English requires 'little' for uncountable, whereas Spanish uses 'poco' for both.
peu / un peu
French doesn't have a separate word for 'few' vs 'little' (both are 'peu').
wenig / ein paar
German uses 'ein paar' only for countable items.
sukoshi / hotondo nai
Japanese relies on verb polarity rather than the quantifier's article.
qalil / ba'd
The positive/negative nuance of the 'a' article is unique to English.
yidian / jige
Chinese lacks the count/uncount grammatical requirement.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
관련 동영상
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