Welcome to twominuteenglish.com. Teaching you English through two-minute lessons.
In this lesson, we will tell you how to use the words little and few in a conversation.
Little and few are used to talk about things which are less in amount.
That’s right, they often speak of things which are not sufficient.
However, there are differences in the conditions when we use them.
Little is used to speak of something which cannot be counted in numbers.
For example: I have little money in my pocket. We cannot count money by numbers.
We can count dollars, not money.
Few is used when we speak of something which can be counted in numbers.
I have few friends who live in New York. Here the number of friends can be counted.
That’s correct, here goes another example: Check out if a little honey is left in the few bottles over there.
Here, honey cannot be counted but the number of bottles can be counted.
Thank you Eva, let’s go through some conversations to learn more.
Hello, would you drop me at the station?
Sir, the station is just a little distance from here. Very few people would take a taxi.
I have little time left for my meeting, mate! So could you drop me there?
Sure sir. Please get in, I will get you there in a few minutes.
Thank you. I will give you a little tip at the end for your trouble.
No problem. It’s very little trouble.
Hey Peter, when did you arrive?
Just a few hours back. How are you, Mandi?
I am a little worried, I had a terrible headache last night.
That’s not a big deal. Few people worry about headaches.
That is right. I shouldn’t be worried at all. How was your trip?
It was fantastic! But there were a few surprises.
Alright, let’s talk all about it in the evening. I am in a little hurry right now.
That would be great Mandi. See you in the evening!
Doctor, I think the medicine is not working. I had that headache again last night.
Don’t worry Mandi. The medicine will take a few days to work in your case.
Can you consider changing it? I think it has little chance of working. The headache was terrible.
It’s not a good idea to change medicine like that. Let’s get a few tests done first.
Alright doc. What do you suggest?
Come into my office this evening Mandi. I will give you more details. It will take just a little time.
I have little money in my pocket.
Check out if a little honey is left in the few bottles over there.
Very few people would take a taxi.
I will get you there in a few minutes.
It’s very little trouble.
Just a few hours back.
I am in a little hurry right now.
Let’s get a few tests done first.
I think it has little chance of working.
It will take just a little time.