a few people attended the party vs few people attended the party

Both phrases are correct, but they convey different meanings. 'A few people attended the party' implies that there were some people at the party. 'Few people attended the party' emphasizes that there were not many people present. The addition of 'a' changes the meaning from negative to positive.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 31, 2025 • 5006 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"a few people attended the party"

This phrase is used to indicate that there were some people at the party, implying a positive or satisfactory number of attendees.

Examples:

A few people attended the party, but it was still a fun gathering.
There were only a few people at the party, so it was quite intimate.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dozens of young people attended the demonstration.
Dozens of young people attended the demonstration.
Five different people attended the same conference
It is estimated that between 20000 and 35000 people attended the Kurpiowskie Miodobranie (Kurpie Honey Harvest) festival every year between 2002 and 2006.
A few weeks ago, I attended the most recent regional ACP summit in Guyana.
We just knock a few heads together, threaten to shoot a few people... they give us the code.
Only a few people in Russia can afford to be themselves.
- We've brought a few people to put up.
I think a few people in Guam didn't hear you.
Your presence is making a few people uncomfortable.
And if I can help a few people along the way, then I'm pleased.
I tracked down a few people who left the sect after carter took over.
Only a few people in government will know of the operation.
I notice even now a few people looking my way.
A few people got banged up avoiding Santa.
I've spoken to a few people about getting you work experience.
Keep a few people her to watch Chairman Ma.
I actually trust a few people.
There are a few people I decided not to invite.
He was a few people behind us.

Alternatives:

Several people attended the party
A small group of people attended the party
A handful of people attended the party
A couple of people attended the party
A number of people attended the party

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"few people attended the party"

This phrase is used to indicate that there were not many people at the party, implying a negative or unsatisfactory number of attendees.

Examples:

Few people attended the party, so it was a bit disappointing.
There were so few people at the party that it felt empty.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dozens of young people attended the demonstration.
Dozens of young people attended the demonstration.
Five different people attended the same conference
It is estimated that between 20000 and 35000 people attended the Kurpiowskie Miodobranie (Kurpie Honey Harvest) festival every year between 2002 and 2006.
I attended the party with the intention of taking some pictures.
This means the unsub's next target will probably be another fraternity member or someone who attended the party where Linwood was killed.
(It's estimated that on May 8, 1988,) (fewer than 8,000 people attended the speech.)
I attended the party just to be sociable.
He attended the party, and he was caught on building security cameras
Shelby Hickman, are you here to attended the party?
Do you know if she actually attended the party? I don't.
In fact, isn't it true that you attended the party uninvited after having a heated cell phone argument with your girlfriend?
Now, several thousand people attended that first year.
Cesar Chavez died in 1993 at the age of sixty-six. More than 40,000 people attended his funeral.
All parties except Mitsubishi Electric Corporation attended the hearing.
One of the Icelandic MPs who attended the Brussels meeting, Christian Democrat.
Few people realize that starfish are carnivorous.
Yet very few people bother learning to act.
In 20095511 people attended language courses, and 265 attended non-Community-language courses.
Furthermore, 1771 people attended IT courses and 737 attended financial training courses.

Alternatives:

Not many people attended the party
Only a handful of people attended the party
Scarcely anyone attended the party
Hardly anyone attended the party
A sparse turnout at the party

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a few people attended the party vs few people attended the party

"a few people attended the party"

"few people attended the party"

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