Determiners a few / a little and little / few A.

a few / a little
a few = countable noun (FC),
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

a little = uncountable noun (LUC)

There are a few students in the class.

There is a little water in the jug.
I have a few friends in the city.
I am a little worried about his health.

Decide whether you have to use a little or a few.

a few apples

a little bread

a little rice

a few ideas

a few bicycles

a little water

a few trees

a little luck

a few boys

a few friends

a little money

a few chairs

a few dogs

a little coffee

a little time

a few children

a little sugar

a little work

a few cups

a few men

a few pens

a little water

a little sand

a little juice

a few marbles

a few pencils

a few students

a little milk

Complete the following sentences using a little or a few.

He gave me .............................. books to read.

This soup needs .............................. salt.
.............................. patients came in the morning.
We need to look after our pets with .............................. care.
Spread .............................. butter on the slice.
Add .............................. sugar to the tea.
May I have ........................ coffee?
Gary has got ........................ pencils in his pencil box.
We have got ........................ cheese and bread; lets make a sandwich
She has a ring with . red stones in it.
There is .. difference between these two dresses.
We need .. children to take part in the play.

friends may come for the picnic.

We had . snow last winter.
people were interested in the exhibition.

I speak . French.

There are students in the classroom.

She has relatives.

There is .. water in the pond.

The professor spends .. time playing tennis on Sundays.

We have . knowledge of this phenomenon.

There are . mushrooms in my mushroom soup.

. animals can survive in the desert.

I have got .. money to buy a coat.

I have got cakes to give away.

There is juice left in the bottle.

Ans: a few, a little, a few, a little, a little, a little, a little, a few, a little, a few, a little, a few,
a few
Ans: a little, a few, a little, a few, a few, a little, a little, a little, a few, a few, a little, a few, a
little
Complete these sentences with the correct words from the brackets.
1. Mother said, There is only . milk left in the jar. Will you buy
some more? (a little/a few)
2. Raj said, I have chocolates left. Do you want some? (a little/a
few)
3. Grandma, will you please read stories for us? asked
the kids. (a little/a few)

4. Lets walk .. more, said dad. (a little/a few)

5. When I left home, there were .. books on the table stand, said
Mother. (a little/a few)
Ans:
1. a little 2. a few 3. a few 4. a little 5. a few
11. Complete this dialogue at Reena's party using a little or a few. (2 marks)
Reena's mother: Shiva, would you like an apple?
Shiva: Not a whole apple, Aunty. Just ___________ slices, please.
Tommy: Aunty, Can I have ___________ sauce on the samosa, please?
Reena's Mother: Sure, Tommy. Would you like ___________ gulab jamoons too?
Tommy: Just one, thank you. May I have ___________ ice cream with it?
Decide whether you have to use a little or a few.
1.

There will be a little rain this week.

2.

A few friends are coming over tonight.

3.

I need a little sleep.

4.

Could you buy a few bottles of water for me?

5.

My parents give me a little pocket money every week.

6.

All we need is a little luck.

7.

I would like to eat a few biscuits now.

8.

There is still a little bread left.

9.

My friend knows a few English poems.

10.

There are a few birthdays to celebrate this month.

1.

Could I have a little sugar for my tea, please?

2.

If you want to make pancakes, you need a few eggs and a little flour.

3.

Have you got a few minutes? I need to talk to you.

4.

When I am on holiday, I always write a few lines home.

5.

I have a little headache.

6.

Jane has invited a few boys to her party.

7.

There is still a little work to do.

8.

They sang a few songs.

9.

Would you like a little more rice?