"a few people" vs "few people"

Question

"a few people" vs "few people"

Both "few people" and "a few people" are correct, but they 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.

Last Updated: March 31, 2024

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.

Alternatives:

some people
several people

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.

Alternatives:

a small number of people
a limited number of people

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

"a few people" vs "few people"

a few people

few people

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