few vs a few

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mentarget
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Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:15 pm
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Location: Nigeria

few vs a few

Post 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?
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Tukanja
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Re: few vs a few

Post 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.
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