1. few 和afew 之后接可数名词的复数形式。few 表示数量很少或几乎没有,强调“少”,含有否定意义;a few 表示数量虽然少但毕竟还有,强调“有”,含有肯定意义。比较:
His theory is very difficult, and few people understand it. 他的理论很深奥,没有几个人能懂。
His theory is very difficult, but a few people understand it. 他的理论很深奥,但是有些人懂。
2. little 和alittle 之后接不可数名词,其区别跟 few 和afew 之间的区别相似。如:
Unfortunately, I had little money on me. 很不巧,我身上没带什么钱。
Fortunately, I had a little money on me. 幸好我身上带着一点钱。
3. 一般说来,在only, still, can, quite, not 等词之后通常用带有不定冠词的 a few 或alittle,而在 very, some, the, no, so, too 等词之后通常用不带冠词的 few 或little。如:
He was not a little surprised. 他大为吃惊。
There’s only a little left. 只剩下一点点。
I have so little time to enjoy myself. 我娱乐时间很少。
Very few people understand what he said. 几乎没什么人懂他的话。
4.两者的比较等级变化分别为 few, fewer, fewest (后接可数名词复数),little, less, least (后接不可数名词)。如:
Who has the fewest mistakes? 谁的错误最少?
He is the best teacher even though he has the least experience. 他尽管经验最少,但教得最好。
You ought to smoke fewer cigarettes and drink less be