Few is used with plural nouns. It indicates a small number of something.
There were few children in the class.
I could answer onlya fewquestions.
A few means some. It has a positive meaning. The few means not many, but all of those. Test your understanding of few with this grammar exercise.
Complete the following sentences using a few or the few.
1He wants to spend ............... days that are left to him in solitude and meditation.
Wrong!
Use "the few" because it refers to the specific remaining days left to him.
2I have got ............... questions to ask.
Wrong!
Use "a few" to mean some questions, without referring to a specific known set.
3............... public gardens that we have are not properly maintained.
Wrong!
Use "The few" because it refers to the small specific number of public gardens we have.
4I can't express my gratitude in ............... words.
Wrong!
Use "a few" to mean a small number of words in general.
5............... remarks that he made were very poignant.
Wrong!
Use "The few" because it refers to the specific remarks that he made.
6When I met him ............... weeks ago, he looked happy.
Wrong!
Use "a few" to mean some weeks ago, not a specific known set of weeks.
Answers
- He wants to spend the few days that are left to him in solitude and meditation.
- I have got a few questions to ask.
- The few public gardens that we have are not properly maintained.
- I can’t express my gratitude in a few words.
- The few remarks that he made were very poignant.
- When I met him a few weeks ago, he looked happy.
