“a little” and “a few ” to describe quantity

“a little” and “a few” are determiners. We write them before a noun.
More specifically, they are quantifiers. They both describe a small quantity or amount of something.

“a few” describes a small quantity of a countable noun.
“a little” describes a small quantity of an uncountable noun.

Let’s look at each one in more detail.

“a few”

Form:
“a few” + countable noun in the plural form

Use:
to describe a small quantity of a countable noun.

Examples:
There are a few peas.

There are a few raspberries.

There are a few peaches.

“a little”

Form:
“a little” + uncountable noun

(Uncountable nouns are always in the singular form.)

Use:
to describe a small quantity of an uncountable noun.

There is a little pasta.

There is a little soup.

There is a little sugar.

What are countable and uncountable nouns?

See my lesson on countable and uncountable nouns for more information.

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