little/a little VS few/a few

很多同学知道这两者最大的区别是little/a little 后跟不可数名词，而few/a few后跟复数的可数名词。那我们先看些例句加深下印象:

little/a little:

e.g. We managed to save a little money.
I’ve got so much to do and so little time to do it in.

注意：在作代名词时，指的也是不可数名词:

e.g. Little has been revealed about his background.
Jordan has lost little of his Irish accent.

few/a few:

e.g. The pictures were taken at one of his few public appearances.
I’ve turned down a few job offers.

注意：在作代名词时，也指的是可数名词:

e.g. Few of the retail firms are offering a home delivery service
She approached several people, but few were interested.

little VS a little

通过以上可以看出little和a little都可以放在不可数名词前形容量小，但它们之间的用法区别在于它们所处的语境。

Little用来强调某物比你希望或期待的量要小 (not much; not enough)：

e.g. Unfortunately, there is little hope of finding survivors.

中文翻译：“不幸的是，我们只有很小的机会找到幸存者。”很显然，作者希望会有更大的机会找到幸存者，然而事实上可能性只有一点。

e.g. There has been little change since this morning.

中文翻译：“自今早事件仅有很小的变化。”这句也隐含较失望的语气。

A little 用来形容量小（但可能比你期待的要多一点）：

Little用法的第一个例句如果换为a little，在中文理解的时候，意义就大不一样了。英文原应为 “Fortunately, there is a little hope of finding survivors.”，中文理解应该是“(尽管事态很严重)幸好，还是有一点希望找回幸存者的。”

e.g. I had a little money left so I took a taxi.

中文翻译：我当时还剩下些现金，所以我就打车走了。

few VS a few

和以上类似， few和a few的用法也决定于语境。

Few用来强调某物比你希望或期待的量要小 (not many; not enough):

e.g. At that time, there were few women in management positions.

中文翻译：“在当时，只有极少的女性担任管理职位。”

e.g. There are few sweets left in the jar.

中文翻译：“罐子里只剩下几粒糖果了。”

A few 用来形容量小或数小（但可能比你期待的要多一点）:

e.g. We have a few minutes left in class. Do you have any questions?

中文翻译：“我们还剩下几分钟，有同学提问吗？”

e.g. We’re having a few friends over for dinner.

中文翻译：“我们今晚要招待些朋友。”

总结一下, little 和few一般带有消极的含义，而a little和a few就指的是数量小，即可以是中性的，也可是积极的。

以下是相关的小练习，同学们不妨来翻译一下：

• 我可以用来准备考试的时间不多了。

• 只有几位经理参加了这个会议。

• 我跟几位同事都提到了这件事。

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