A Little / A Few

Use a little for non-countable nouns (e.g., jam, time). Use a few if the noun is countable (e.g., jars of jam, students). For example:

1. I have coffee with a little milk.
2. She likes a few songs by Frank Sinatra.

1. I always enjoy a little cream and sugar in my coffee.
2. Jesse has a few speeding tickets, so his insurance rate is higher than mine.
3. We have a little extra time this afternoon; do you want to watch a movie?
4. There were a few horses grazing in front of the barn.
5. Have a little salsa on your eggs. It’s delicious!
6. A few coconuts fell from the tree. One of them hit Aaron, causing him to yelp.
7. I really would like a litlle peace and quiet.
8. My neighbor let me pick a few peaches from his tree.

Decide whether you have to use a little or a few:

1. Can you please buy _______ apples.
2. We need _______ water.
3. I have _______ money left.
4. I take _______ sugar with my coffee.
5. We had _______ pints of beer there.
6. You have _______ time left.
7. There are _______ chairs in the room.
8. He only spent _______ dollars there.

Answers:

1. a few
2. a little
3. a little
4. a little
5. a few
6. a little
7. a few
8. a few