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Few

fewindefinite determinersindefinite pronouns

'Few' can modify a noun, replace it, or even be the noun. It has three functions which we will discuss in this lesson.

How to use "Few" in English Grammar

'Few' is a word that can modify a noun or replace it or even be the noun. In this lesson, we are going to know how we can use it and where we can put it.

Functions of 'Few'

  1. Determiner
  2. Pronoun
  3. Noun

1. 'Few' as a Determiner

Use

'Few' as a determiner is used before a plural noun to indicate 'not many people or things.' For example:

I want few apples.

I have few friends.

a few

'A few' is also a determiner and is used to indicate 'not many but some.'

A few problems stopped him.

I wanted to talk to a few people in this room.

The determiner 'a few' can take other adverbs or adjectives like 'very' 'quite', 'good'.

Not a few students knew the problem.

She teaches quite a few students.

Tip

'Few' as a determiner can have comparative and superlative forms. They are fewer and fewest respectively.

I have fewer friends than you.

The fewest mistakes should be made.

Position in a Sentence

'Few' as a determiner precedes a plural noun to describe it. Therefore, 'few' with the modified noun can act as a subject, an object, a subject complement, etc.

I have few friends.

object

Few things are solvable.

subject

2. 'Few' as a Pronoun

Use

'Few' as a pronoun is used to replace a plural noun to indicate 'not many people or things.' Remember that 'few' as a pronoun needs a plural verb. For example:

He has many friends but few of them are real friends.

I know very few. Don't ask me anything.

The pronoun 'few' can take the adverb 'very.'

a few

'A few' can also be a pronoun to refer to a plural noun and mean 'not many but some.'

A few can be done.

Position in a Sentence

'Few' as a pronoun refers to a plural noun that can be the object, the subject, the subject complement, etc. Note that a plural verb is used.

He has many friends but few of them are real friends.

subject

I know very few. Don't ask me anything.

object

3. 'Few' as a Noun

Use

'Few' as a noun means 'the minority, a small group of people or set of things considered as separate from the majority.'

The few has access to what they want.

Position in a Sentence

'Few' as a noun takes a singular verb and can have articles like 'the.'

The few knows how this works.

Money is not just for the few.

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