Should you say ‘I have a little time’ or ‘I have little time’? What’s the difference? Find out in this lesson.
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Introduction:
- Take a look at this list of nouns and decide which ones are countable and which ones are uncountable money, dog, love, time, pencil, water, car
- Read the sentences below and complete the rules. I love dogs. That’s why I have a few. I have few friends. I’m quite lonely. Oh, no! It’s late. Can we finish this tomorrow? I have very little time. I think I’ll be fine. I studied a little.
Rules:
- ‘…’ and ‘…’ are used with countable nouns.
- ’…’ and ‘…’ are used with uncountable nouns.
- ‘…’ and ‘…’ implies not enough (negative or neutral).
- ‘…’ and ‘…’ implies enough or some (positive).
Exercise 1
Compare those sentences. Decide whether the speakers are happy or unhappy about their situation and then check your answers.
A) Which speaker is lonely?
I have a few friends.
I have few friends.
B) Which speaker is in a hurry?
I have a little time.
I have little time.
C) Which speaker needs your help?
I have few ideas.
I have a few ideas.
D) Which speaker is more likely to pass the test?
I studied a little.
I studied little.
Exercise 2 - Learn with clips
Which one is correct: little / a little?
Watch the clips and check your answers!
1a
”How well are you trained in music?”
”I know ..., I studied it in my youth.”
(I know something 😐)
1b
”My father abandoned me to the world of men when I was six years old. I know ... of the love between father and son.”
(I don’t know much 😞)
Which one is correct: few / a few?
2a
”Who are we? Hardly the stuff of legend.”
”There are ... warriors amongst us.”
(we have some warriors, don’t worry 😀)
2b
”As a matter of fact there are very ... men here who are committed.”
(not many man 😐)
Which one is correct: little / a little?
3a
”There's a lot for you to know and very ... time to explain.”
(we don’t have much time 😞)
3b
”Give him ... more time.”
(some time 😐)
Which one is correct: few / a few?
4a
”So ..., so ... of you have returned”
(not many 😞)
4b
”I’ll send word for you in ... days Mr Angier” (soon, you won’t have to wait long 😐)
Exercise 3
Answer the questions truthfully. Put “few”, “a few”, “little” or “a little” in the gaps.
- Do you have time for a party this Sunday?
- Do you have enough food for dinner tonight?
- Are there many people in the office/at home today?
- Are you busy this week?
- Do you need any help with your work?
- Can you meet up with friends today after work?
- How much sleep did you get last night?
- How much money in cash do you have in your wallet?
Exercise 4
Are you ready for something more difficult? Read the quotes and fill in the gaps with little, a little, few or a few. Then watch the clips and check your answers.
- Decide if the noun following the gap is countable (few or a few) or uncountable (little or a little).
- Then decide if the speakers mean that there’s enough (a few, a little) of something or not enough (few little) of something.
Good luck and have fun!
Example 1
nudge - uncountable noun - the act of pushing somebody gently (acc. dictionary.cambridge.org)
“I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle ... nudge outside the door.”