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Chan-Seung Lee



Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
PostPosted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:11 am    Post subject: few Reply with quote
Quote:
1.He has few firends.
2.He has very few firends.
3.He has only few firends.
4.He has only very few firends.


Are the above examples the same meaning?
If not, can you tell me the differences?

Thanks.
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myprofe



Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Posts: 425
Location: Madrid, Spain - Native Boston, USA
PostPosted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:34 am    Post subject: Re: few Reply with quote
He has few friends.
He has a few friends.
He has very few friends.
He has only a few friends.

These sentences are very similar and the differences are obvious.

There is, however, a difference between few and a few. When we say I have a little time, a little money, a few moments etc. this sounds more positive. Without the article it is more negative.

A) Can you help me?
B) Sorry, I'm very busy right now. I have little time to help you.

A) Can you help me?
B) I'm very busy right now but I have a little time. OK, come into my office.
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Chan-Seung Lee



Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
PostPosted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:39 pm    Post subject: one more Reply with quote
Quote:
He has few friends.
He has a few friends.
He has very few friends.
He has only a few friends.


I can understand the difference between 'few' and 'a few' from what you taught me. Thanks for your kind reply, Myprofe!
But I still have one more question about the quote which you mentioned.

From what you mention in the above excerpt, it appears that 'few' can be used for emphasis forms as 'very few' not 'only few' or 'only very few'. And it appears that 'a few' can be used for emphasis forms as 'only a few' not 'very a few' or 'very only a few'.

Am I right? Please tell me the truth.
Thanks.
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myprofe



Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Posts: 425
Location: Madrid, Spain - Native Boston, USA
PostPosted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:38 am    Post subject: very few - only a very few Reply with quote
There are many possible combinations:

few times
only few times

very few times
only very few times

a few times
only a few times

a very few times
only a very few times
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