Few vs. A Few - Espresso English
In summary, "few" emphasizes a small or limited quantity with a sense of scarcity, while "a few" indicates a small but existing and positive quantity. The addition of "a" in "a few" makes a subtle difference, suggesting that there is at least some, even if it's not a large amount. Let's practicefew vs a few.
The Difference: a few / few and a little / little (English Grammar)
Learn the difference between "a few" and "few" in English, with examples and explanations from language experts. See how they can express quantity, emphasis, and polarity in various contexts.
Australians seeing price difference of 75 cents at Coles and Woolworths ...
Answer. The correct sentence is "Unfortunately, there were a few accidents." Both "few" and "a few" mean "a small number" but they are used in different ways. "Few" means "not many" and sometimes implies that there are not as many as you might want or expect.
Few, A Few—What's the Difference? | Grammarly
"A few" has a generally positive meaning, and "few" has a generally negative meaning. For example: "I have a few friends" - this means I have enough friends, or I have some friends.