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By Maitree Choube
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Updated on 18 Jun 2025, 16:44 IST
In English grammar, we often get confused by words like few, a few, and the few. They look similar but have different meanings. One small word can change the full meaning of a sentence. That’s why it’s important to understand how to use them correctly.
When you learn the rules and meanings, you can avoid mistakes and improve both your writing and speaking. This simple guide gives you a clear NCERT grammar topic explanation. If you're studying through CBSE ICSE grammar difference guide or solving a Few A Few The Few worksheet, this will help you build better vocabulary and grammar skills in a smart and easy way.
In this guide, we will clearly explain the difference between Few, A Few, and The Few. You’ll learn how and when to use each one correctly in sentences. At the end of the lesson, we’ll also practice with a few questions to test your understanding.
So stay with us, and clear your concept thoroughly through our simple grammar guide.
The words few, a few, and the few are used to show a small quantity, but they carry different meanings based on how they are used. These words are called quantifiers, which means they tell us about the number of people or things.
Few means a very small number and is used in a negative sense—it suggests that not enough of something is present.
A few means some, and it is more positive—it shows that at least a small number exists.
The few refers to a specific small group of people or things that are already known or mentioned—it highlights their importance despite being small in number.
Understanding this difference helps in using the right word while speaking or writing.
In English grammar, quantifiers like few, a few, and the few are commonly used to describe small quantities, but each one carries a different meaning and usage. Knowing the exact difference between them helps avoid confusion in sentence construction and improves clarity in communication.
The table below offers a simple breakdown to help learners master this topic through definitions, usage cases, and examples. These notes are ideal for students using grammar worksheets, English vocabulary practice, or preparing for class 7 grammar exams with the NCERT or ICSE syllabus.
S.No. | Term | Meaning | Tone | Used For | Example 1 | Example 2 |
1 | Few | Very small number; almost none | Negative | To show lack or insufficiency | Few students finished the tough exam on time. | Few people understood the joke. |
2 | A Few | Some, but not many | Positive | To show a small, but enough quantity | I have a few ideas for the school project. | She brought a few gifts for the kids. |
3 | The Few | Specific small group already known or mentioned | Neutral/Specific | To refer to known important few | The few friends he has are very loyal. | The few chapters left are very important for the test. |
Understanding how to use few, a few, and the few correctly can greatly improve your grammar and writing. Here are the rules explained in an easy way:
Rule 1: Few – Used for a small number (almost none)
Example:
Few people attended the early morning class.
(= Almost no one came.)
Rule 2: A Few – Used to mean some (enough)
Example:
I have a few friends who support me.
(= I have some good friends.)
Rule 3: The Few – Refers to a specific group
Example:
The few students who stayed late completed the project.
(= A specific group of students did the work.)
Bonus Tips:
By following these rules and practicing with examples, you’ll be able to use these words correctly in both your speaking and writing.
Use of Few – (Negative tone: almost none, not enough)
Some more examples of Few
Use of A Few – (Positive tone: some, enough)
Some more examples of A Few
Use of The Few – (Refers to a specific, known small group)
Some more examples of A Few
In English grammar, few, a few, and the few are quantifiers that refer to small numbers. They are used only with countable nouns (like books, friends, apples, etc.), but their meaning and tone are different. Knowing when to use few, a few, and the few helps improve your writing and communication.
When to Use Few
Use few when you want to express almost none or not enough.
It shows a negative sense or lack of quantity.
Example:
Few people understand how grammar really works.
(Hardly anyone does – a negative meaning.)
When to Use A Few
Use a few when you want to say some, but not many.
It shows a positive meaning—there is at least a small, useful number.
Example:
A few students stayed back to help with the event.
(Some students helped – a positive and encouraging sense.)
When to Use The Few
Use the few when talking about a specific small group already known or mentioned.
It often refers to people or things that are important despite being small in number.
Example:
The few soldiers who fought bravely were honored.
(Refers to a known group that is respected.)
By learning the correct use of these words, students can improve their English vocabulary, make their writing more accurate, and avoid common grammar mistakes. Whether you’re solving CBSE or ICSE grammar worksheets or reviewing a NCERT grammar topic explanation, this concept is essential for strong communication.
S.No. | Incorrect Sentence | Why It’s Wrong | Correct Sentence | Explanation |
1 | I have few ideas to solve the problem. | Few means almost none; sounds like you have no ideas. | I have a few ideas to solve the problem. | A few means you have some ideas (positive tone). |
2 | She invited a few guests, but few arrived. | Mixed use may confuse tone and meaning. | She invited a few guests, but only a few arrived. | Clarifies both invitation and turnout were small. |
3 | Few students helped with the decorations happily. | Sounds like almost no one helped (unintended negativity). | A few students helped with the decorations. | A few keeps the meaning positive and accurate. |
4 | We saw a few animals in the forest at night. | No mistake here. | No change needed | This is a correct use of a few (positive). |
5 | Few teachers gave homework during the holidays. | May sound like none gave homework (could be unclear). | Only a few teachers gave homework during holidays. | Only a few adds clarity and softens the meaning. |
6 | He has a few knowledge about the topic. | A few is used with countable nouns, not uncountable. | He has little knowledge about the topic. | Use little for uncountable nouns like "knowledge". |
1. Which sentence shows a negative meaning?
A) A few students submitted the project.
B) Few students submitted the project.
C) The few students submitted the project.
D) All students submitted the project.
Answer: B
2. Choose the correct sentence:
A) He has a few patience left.
B) He has few books left to read.
C) He has a few knowledge about the topic.
D) Few sugar is in the jar.
Answer: B
3. “_____ people truly understand the value of time.”
A) A few
B) The few
C) Few
D) An few
Answer: C
4. Select the option that best completes the sentence:
“There are only _____ employees who can handle that client.”
A) few
B) the few
C) a few
D) little
Answer: B
5. Identify the sentence that expresses positive availability:
A) Few guests came to the wedding.
B) A few guests came to the wedding.
C) The few guests who came were bored.
D) Few of them liked the food.
Answer: B
6. Which option is grammatically incorrect?
A) Few people supported the new policy.
B) A few of the students failed the exam.
C) The few resources we had were enough.
D) She made a few mistake in the test.
Answer: D
7. Fill in the blank:
“She has _____ close friends, and they matter to her deeply.”
A) few
B) the few
C) a few
D) very few
Answer: C
8. Which sentence is best in formal writing?
A) Few know how the system works.
B) A few knows how the system works.
C) A few know how the system works.
D) Few knows how the system works.
Answer: C
9. Choose the correct sentence:
A) The few who remain are not strong.
B) Few are called but many are chosen.
C) A few knowledge can be dangerous.
D) Few of the people was interested.
Answer: A
10. “_____ people knew the real reason behind his success.”
A) Few
B) A few
C) The few
D) Little
Answer: A
11. Which sentence uses the few to refer to a known group?
A) A few people were injured.
B) Few people can afford this car.
C) The few people who stayed behind helped a lot.
D) Few people knew the truth.
Answer: C
12. Identify the sentence that sounds too negative in tone:
A) A few helped the injured man.
B) Few helped the injured man.
C) The few who helped were appreciated.
D) A few more joined later.
Answer: B
13. “_____ lines of the poem stayed with me forever.”
A) A few
B) Few
C) The few
D) Very few
Answer: C
14. Fill in the blank:
“Despite his popularity, _____ people knew about his past.”
A) a few
B) the few
C) few
D) many
Answer: C
15. Which sentence is correct?
A) A few of his advice was useful.
B) Few of the suggestions were useful.
C) The few of advice he gave helped a lot.
D) A few of suggestions was ignored.
Answer: B
They are used with countable nouns only, like apples, books, friends—not with uncountable nouns like water or sugar.
"Few" refers to a very limited number, often suggesting that hardly any are present. It is used to show that something is lacking or not enough, especially with countable nouns.
No, a few is larger than few. Few means almost none, while a few means at least some.
Few = almost none (negative feeling)
A few = some, enough (positive feeling)
The few = a known small group (specific)
Some common quantifiers include:
Use a few before plural countable nouns to indicate a small number that is enough or acceptable. It carries a more positive meaning compared to few.
Few: Few people came to the meeting. (almost none)
A few: A few guests arrived early. (some)
The few: The few players who stayed late improved quickly. (specific small group)