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few people vs a few people

Both phrases are correct, but have different meanings. "Few people" implies a small number of people, often with a negative connotation of scarcity or lack. On the other hand, "a few people" indicates a small but noticeable number of people, with a positive or neutral connotation.
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Explained by Miss E.
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Last updated: July 17, 2024 • 54288 views

few people

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a small number of people, often with a negative connotation of scarcity or lack.

Use "few people" when you want to emphasize the smallness of the number of people, usually in a negative context. For example, "Few people attended the meeting due to the bad weather."

Examples:

  • Few people showed up for the event.
  • There are few people who can solve this problem.
  • Few people understand the complexity of the situation.
  • The restaurant had few people dining in tonight.
  • Few people have the skills required for the job.
  • Dec 9, 2023 ... In this context, few by itself would convey the sense of only. So Only few people came sounds a bit odd. The most natural, at least in ...
  • Jul 6, 2024 ... "very few people" would play a Morrowind-style open world nowadays, as teams need to "support" two kinds of players · Comments Section.
  • Aug 29, 2024 ... I moved to a sleepy town with few people my age. My new friends – some elderly – have changed my life. This article is more than 1 month old.
  • Jul 8, 2024 ... 'Very few' people would play a Morrowind-style RPG with 'no compass, no map' and a reliance on quest text, says ESO director, 'which is kind of sad'
  • Being Alone has a Power that Very few People can Handle. Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was afraid ...
  • Feb 11, 2020 ... 2M likes, 196K comments - danbilzerian on February 11, 2020: "Gonna fly a few people out for @ignite party on Thursday, tag your crew".
  • Transfer just a few people from one tree to another? Help · Mihle November 10, 2020, 8:10pm 1. Whats the best way to transfer like 6 ish people from one ...
  • Sep 25, 2024 ... Few people know what they like about work, and if they do, HR teams don't know about it. Consider The PX Test: A Snapshot of Organizational Health.
  • Aug 20, 2017 ... My mother passed from cancer in November 2020 and because of the pandemic very few people showed up. I still feel the sting of injustice at ...
  • Oct 13, 2020 ... What Is Love? I Asked A Few People ... Do you want to know what's funny to me? There's never really a “last” goodbye, is there? Only unsuspecting ...

Alternatives:

  • a small number of people
  • a limited number of people

a few people

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a small but noticeable number of people, with a positive or neutral connotation.

Use "a few people" when you want to highlight that there is a small but sufficient number of people, often in a positive or neutral context. For example, "A few people volunteered to help with the project."

Examples:

  • A few people attended the party.
  • There were a few people waiting in line.
  • A few people have already completed the survey.
  • Only a few people know the secret.
  • A few people have expressed interest in the program.
  • Dec 9, 2023 ... In the cited context, few must unquestionably be preceded by the indefinite article... 1: The concert wasn't popular. Only a few people came.
  • 3 days ago ... A few people were interested in how I created the truss under my rails in my previous post, here's how I do it. Guide.
  • Feb 11, 2020 ... 2M likes, 196K comments - danbilzerian on February 11, 2020: "Gonna fly a few people out for @ignite party on Thursday, tag your crew".
  • May 8, 2024 ... A few people told me this reminded them of Xenoblade Chronicles. What do you guys think? Just a piano song I wrote~. Original Fanart.
  • Oct 13, 2020 ... What Is Love? I Asked A Few People ... Do you want to know what's funny to me? There's never really a “last” goodbye, is there? Only unsuspecting ...
  • There are a few people who need to hear this. Wiping down the stove and countertops is a part of washing the dishes.
  • Transfer just a few people from one tree to another? Help · Mihle November 10, 2020, 8:10pm 1. Whats the best way to transfer like 6 ish people from one ...
  • Aug 9, 2023 ... A Few People I Talk To Think Yellow Ladybugs are Bad? · There are many species of yellow ladybugs, like 14 spotted and 22 spotted ladybugs.
  • Apr 23, 2023 ... Yes, it is correct to say "a few people." "A few" means a small number, and it is often used to describe a group of people or things.

Alternatives:

  • some people
  • several people

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