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few vs a few

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 12:52 pm
by mentarget
What is the difference between "few" and "a few"?
I thought "few" means just one, two or even none. "A few" typically means more than two. However it seems to me some people say "few" when they really mean "a few", am I right?

Re: few vs a few

Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 7:30 pm
by Tukanja
/a learner view/

few
not enough, almost none, negligible, ..

a few
less than several but sometimes enough, a small number of something that is countable, not negligible...

1. How many people visited the performance?
Few of them only. ~ Not enough. He would rather to have seen more of them there.

2. Have you seen any of your friends after you graduated?
A few.
3. Have you been to Bosnia?
A few times.