Grammar Focus: Quantifiers: 'a few', 'few', 'a little', 'little'

Quantifiers tell us the amount or quantity of a noun. We use different ones for countable and uncountable nouns.

For countable nouns (things you can count):

• a few = a small number, positive (enough): I have a few friends.
• few = not many, negative (not enough): I have few friends.

For uncountable nouns (things you cannot count):

• a little = a small amount, positive (enough): I have a little money.
• little = not much, negative (not enough): I have little money.

a bit of can be used for a small amount (informal): I have a bit of time.