Use little with uncountable nouns.
Use few with plural nouns.
Comparison
Less is the comparative form of little.
Fewer is the comparative form of few.
Little / less / least
Few / fewer / fewest
Complete the following sentences using little, less, few or fewer.
1............... children participated in the program.
Wrong!
Use "Few" with plural countable nouns when the meaning is not many.
2There is ............... water in the well.
Wrong!
Use "little" with uncountable nouns when the meaning is not much.
3The average MP has ............... real power.
Wrong!
Use "little" because "power" is uncountable here.
4His ideas are difficult. ............... people can understand them.
Wrong!
Use "Few" with the plural countable noun "people" when the meaning is not many.
5We have gotten a little meat and ............... eggs.
Wrong!
Use "a few" with plural countable nouns to mean a small number.
6Can I try ............... of your soup?
Wrong!
Use "a little" with an uncountable noun to mean a small amount.
7In spite of being the daughter of a politician, she has ............... interest in politics.
Wrong!
Use "little" with the uncountable noun "interest" to mean not much.
8Money is of ............... consequence.
Wrong!
Use "little" in the fixed phrase "of little consequence" to mean not important.
9We were given ............... work today than yesterday.
Wrong!
Use "less" with the uncountable noun "work" in comparisons.
10He earns ............... money than his wife.
Wrong!
Use "less" with the uncountable noun "money" in comparisons.
Answers
- Few children participated in the program.
- There is little water in the well.
- The average MP has little real power.
- His ideas are difficult. Few people can understand them.
- We have gotten a little meat and a few eggs.
- Can I try a little of your soup?
- In spite of being the daughter of a politician, she has little interest in politics.
- Money is of little consequence.
- We were given less work today than yesterday.
- He earns less money than his wife.