a few pieces of vs few pieces of

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and are used in different contexts. 'A few pieces of' implies a small, but noticeable quantity of pieces, while 'few pieces of' implies a small or insufficient quantity of pieces. The addition of 'a' changes the meaning significantly.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 3010 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It implies a small, but noticeable quantity of pieces.

"a few pieces of"

This phrase is used when referring to a small, but noticeable number of pieces. It indicates that there are some pieces, though not many.

Examples:

I have a few pieces of chocolate left.
She bought a few pieces of furniture for her new apartment.
There are a few pieces of information missing from the report.
He only needs a few pieces of equipment to start the project.
Can you bring a few pieces of paper for the meeting?

Show examples from the web [+]

That was something way beyond a few pieces of charcoal.
Just a few pieces of equipment necessary for security reasons.
Thanks to a few pieces of metal... and a most beautiful U.S. Customs agent...
I keep a few pieces of dirt on each client that they've never seen.
To think when I met you, I had a few pieces of gold in my pocket and a shred of dignity.
And a few pieces of intel I've been hearing about in the ether.
Well, let me show you a few pieces of the puzzle that we're solving.
Why kill the innocent for a few pieces of missing steel?
In addition to her share of the finances, all she's asking for is one house, a few pieces of art, and, of course, Charlotte.
There were only a few pieces of furniture, there had been looting.
Kind of like a few pieces of cork in a great glass of wine.
It is obvious that Vladimir Putin's Russia wants to reassemble a few pieces of greater Russia, and that is no less legitimate than wanting to pull Ukraine into the West.
Allow me to read out just a few pieces of data that I read in a report by the European Commission and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
I thank the Member of the Commission for the good news about the European Union's improving economic situation - this is one of a few pieces of good news for Lithuania today.
A few pieces of hardware doesn't begin to make us even.
A few pieces of rib bone.
If you say it, will lose you a few pieces of meat?
A few pieces of bar trash losing their lives is hardly the end of the world.
Only a few pieces of the pellet.

Alternatives:

several pieces of
some pieces of

This phrase is correct but implies a small or insufficient quantity of pieces. It has a more negative connotation compared to 'a few pieces of'.

"few pieces of"

This phrase is used when referring to a small or insufficient number of pieces. It indicates that there are not many pieces available.

Examples:

There are few pieces of evidence to support his claim.
She has few pieces of clothing suitable for the party.
He has few pieces of furniture in his living room.
There are few pieces of advice that can help in this situation.
The store has few pieces of the product left in stock.

Show examples from the web [+]

That was something way beyond a few pieces of charcoal.
Just a few pieces of equipment necessary for security reasons.
A few pieces of hardware doesn't begin to make us even.
Thanks to a few pieces of metal... and a most beautiful U.S. Customs agent...
Just reinserting the last few pieces of dentition.
I keep a few pieces of dirt on each client that they've never seen.
To think when I met you, I had a few pieces of gold in my pocket and a shred of dignity.
And a few pieces of intel I've been hearing about in the ether.
Well, let me show you a few pieces of the puzzle that we're solving.
The symphony that Beethoven called the Pastoral, his sixth, is one of the few pieces of music he ever wrote that tells something like a definite story.
Why kill the innocent for a few pieces of missing steel?
The night that your husband was murdered, he went back to his office to grab the last few pieces of evidence he had collected.
In addition to her share of the finances, all she's asking for is one house, a few pieces of art, and, of course, Charlotte.
There were only a few pieces of furniture, there had been looting.
Kind of like a few pieces of cork in a great glass of wine.
It is obvious that Vladimir Putin's Russia wants to reassemble a few pieces of greater Russia, and that is no less legitimate than wanting to pull Ukraine into the West.
Allow me to read out just a few pieces of data that I read in a report by the European Commission and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
I thank the Member of the Commission for the good news about the European Union's improving economic situation - this is one of a few pieces of good news for Lithuania today.
A few pieces of rib bone.
A few pieces of bar trash losing their lives is hardly the end of the world.

Alternatives:

scant pieces of
limited pieces of

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a few pieces of vs few pieces of

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