What is few? Pronunciation and usage in English

few means . Learn how to pronounce and use few through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of few

fewdeterminer

/fjuː/
Definition & pronunciation of few

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "few" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's the breakdown:

The correct pronunciation is: /fjuː/ (pronounced "fee-yoo")

Let's break that down further:

  • "F": Pronounced as in "fun".
  • "ew": This is the tricky part. It's pronounced like the “ew” in “new” or “true.” It's a diphthong – meaning it’s a blended vowel sound.
  • "oo": Pronounced like the “oo” in “moon” or “blue.”

Here's a helpful way to think about it:

Imagine saying "fee" and quickly adding a "yoo" sound right after.

Common Mispronunciations and Why They're Wrong:

  • "few" as "fee-oo": This is the most common mistake. You’re separating the sounds and not blending the “ew” sound.
  • "fyo": This is incorrect and doesn’t match the actual sound.

Resources to Listen:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you struggling with a specific part of the pronunciation? (e.g., the “ew” sound?)

Usage and examples with the word few in English

Let's break down how to use the word "few" in English. It's a tricky one because it can be used in a couple of different ways, and its meaning can shift depending on the context.

1. "Few" as meaning "not many" (Negative Quantity)

This is the most common usage. "Few" indicates a small number, often implying a lack or scarcity. It's a negative way of saying "not many."

  • Example: "Few people attended the meeting." (Meaning: Not many people attended.)
  • Example: "Few students passed the exam." (Meaning: Not many students passed.)
  • Important Note: "Few" is almost always used with countable nouns (things you can count individually – people, books, cars, etc.). You wouldn’t say “few happiness.”

2. "Few" as meaning "a very small number, almost none" (Stronger Negative)

"Few" can be used to emphasize that there is very little of something. This has a stronger sense of inadequacy than just "not many."

  • Example: "Few opportunities exist for young artists in this town." (Meaning: There are almost no opportunities.)
  • Example: “Few houses were left standing after the storm." (Meaning: Almost none.)

3. "Few" vs. "A Few"

This is crucial!

  • "Few" always indicates a small quantity, and it’s generally negative.

  • "A few" indicates some – a small, but not insignificant, number. It's positive in its implication.

  • Example: "Few students enjoyed the assignment." (Negative – hardly anyone)

  • Example: "A few students enjoyed the assignment." (Positive – some students did)

4. Usage in Phrases

  • "Few and far between": Means something is rare and happens infrequently.

    • “Good coffee shops are few and far between in this area."

  • "Few to none": Emphasizes that there is practically no amount of something.

    • “There were few to none who agreed with the proposal.”

Here's a table to summarize:

Word Meaning Quantity Implied Tone Countable Noun?
Few Not many; a small number Small Negative Yes
A few Some; a small number Small Positive Yes

Let’s do some practice!

Fill in the blank with "few" or "a few":

  1. _______ people showed up to the concert.
  2. _______ of the paintings were actually finished.
  3. _______ opportunities for advancement are available in this company.
  4. _______ books are left in that section of the library.

Answers:

  1. Few
  2. Few
  3. Few
  4. A few

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain how "few" is used in a specific context (e.g., discussing a problem)?
  • Help you practice using "few" in a sentence?

Synonyms for the word few

Idioms of the word few

few and far between
not happening often

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