A Few vs Few - Difference and Comparison

A Few vs Few

Few, when used without a preceding a, means "very few" or "none at all". On the other hand, a few is used to indicate "not a large number". The difference is subtle, yet there are instances where the two can mean completely opposite things.

I have a few objections to the vendor's proposed approach. implies that I am not on board with the vendor's proposal. I have some objections, but not so many as to say "I have several objections...". Nevertheless, I have objections that need to be addressed.

I have few objections to the vendor's proposed approach. is a more positive statement that implies I am more or less on board with the proposal. It is not a whole-hearted endorsement, but I barely have any objections at all.

Comparison chart

Improve this chart	A Few	Few
Meaning:	"A few" means "some" or "a handful".	"Few" means "virtually none" or "almost zero".
Connotation:	"A few" connotes "not an overwhelmingly large number, but not an insignificantly small number either."	"Few" without the preceding "a" connotes "an insignificantly small number"

edit Examples of Few and "A few"

Few people in the history of the world were as evil as Hitler. means Hitler was among the most evil people in the history of the world. Hardly anyone was more evil.
The supervisor was not inclined to approve the request without asking a few questions first.

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Comments: A Few vs Few

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Anonymous comments

I'm so glad I have this cleared out, I used to believe the opposite thing completely before reading this article and the comments herein. Thank you so much.
89.31.193.233 on 2011-11-17 07:09:16

83.31.52.198: Yes, that's right. "I have few objections" means I have virtually no objections. And "I have a few objections" translates to "Hold on..not so fast. I have some objections here that need to be addressed." Few and A Few are actually opposites of each other.
67.168.158.106 on 2010-08-16 15:17:02

interesting interpretation: ???"I have few objections to the proposal" actually means "I have no objections". ???
83.31.52.198 on 2010-08-16 05:46:17

Actually, when someone uses the word 'few' without a preceding 'a', they actually mean 'no'. It's a way of putting forward one's opinion. Using the same example, "I have few objections to the proposal" actually means "I have no objections". The same goes for the difference between 'little' and 'a little'. When used with a preceding 'a', little refers to a small number/quantity. For example, "There's a little chance of we winning the case" means we can win the case, though chances are not very high. But when a doctor says "There's little hope of patient's survival", he/she means that there's no hope of patient's survival.....and just puts it across in a different way.
12.2.142.7 on 2007-10-02 07:58:38