In everyday English, people usually say not many instead: Not many people knew he was ill.In formal English, you use few before plural nouns, without ‘a’: Few people knew he was ill.You say a few of my/her/his etc or a few of them/us/you: A few of my friends came too.✗Don’t say: A few of people were getting annoyed. You say a few of the: A few of the people were getting annoyed.You use a few before plural nouns: A few people were waiting.A few means ‘a small number, for example two or three people or things’. ![]() 4 → no fewer than 5 → as few as 5/10 etc 6 → to name/mention but a few 7 → the (privileged/chosen) few 8 → be few and far between 9 → have had a few (too many) GRAMMAR: Comparison a few somebody’s few belongings/friends etc I gathered together my few possessions. This hospital is one of the few that are equipped to provide transplant surgery. ![]() the few The cathedral was one of the few buildings not destroyed in the war. Mr Wingate was full of explanations, but precious few (=hardly any ) of them made sense. few of Very few of the staff come from the local area. The team that makes the fewest mistakes usually wins. 2 → quite a few/a good few/not a few 3 ENOUGH not many or hardly any people or things OPP many low-paid jobs that few people want Many people expressed concern, but few were willing to help. the/somebody’s few days/weeks etc She had enjoyed her few days in Monaco. every few days/weeks etc The plants need to be watered every few days. the last/next few The office has been closed for the last few days. There are only a very few (=not many ) exceptions. I could suggest many different methods, but anyway, here are just a few. There are a few more things I’d like to discuss. There were a few people sitting at the back of the hall. ![]() Pam called to say she’s going to be a few minutes late. S1 W1 determiner, pronoun, adjective ( comparative fewer, superlative fewest ) 1 FEW/NOT MANY a small number of things or people a few I have to buy a few things at the supermarket.From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English few few / fjuː /
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