English UsageGrammar guide
Few vs. A Few
Few and a few both go with plural countable nouns, but the article changes the usual implication. A few means some or a small number; few often has a negative meaning close to not many or almost none.
Use a few for “some”; use few when you mean “not many” or nearly none. Both normally modify plural countable nouns.
Key details
A Few Rolesome; a small positive quantity
Countabilityboth normally modify plural countable nouns
Few Rolenot many; often negative in implication
Further guidance
Countability Boundary
For uncountable nouns, the corresponding contrast is little versus a little.
Meaning Boundary
The article a changes the usual pragmatic meaning from scarcity to a small but present quantity.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Little, a little, few, a few (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Meaning and countability distinction between little and a little