Allen Career Institute
In the previous blog, we studied about the quantifiers ‘A Lot, Much and Many’ – which are often used in denoting higher quantities.
Today’s lesson focuses on quantifiers which we use to define smaller quantities; these include ‘A Little, A Bit and A Few’.
Let’s have a look at these and understand how their use differs from one another.
1. Use of A Little
We use quantifiers a little/little often with uncountable nouns. When used without an indefinite article, usage of a little tends to have a negative meaning. It creates a positive meaning when used with the indefinite article.
Example Sentences
a) I have little interest in Mathematics, I like Science more.
b) I have a little milk in the packet. Should I make you some tea?
2. Use of A Few
Countable nouns are defined using the quantifier a few. Like, a little, when used without indefinite article, ‘a few’ brings out a negative meaning. It creates positive meaning when used with indefinite articles.
Example Sentences
a) A few of his friends are coming to the party.
b) I have a few If you want I can lend them to you.
3. Use of A Bit
A bit defines very small quantities, usually a smaller part of something. We often use it along with ‘of’. A bit or bits refer to both the abstract and tangible things.
Example Sentences
a) You need to slow down a bit, you’re driving really fast.
b) Can we go to the museum later; I’m a bit tired from the trip.
Bit when combined with ‘of’ before the nouns defines a partial amount of something. For example:
a) Take a bit of advice from me, stop staying up late at night.
b) I don’t feel hungry; I’ll have a bit of bread and butter.
A bit is also used for altering comparative adjectives as well as comparative determiners:
a) The climate in Delhi was a bit colder than we had expected.
Based on the quantity to be described or defined, quantifiers a bit, little, and a few can be used accordingly.
Keep practicing these, while we get back to you with the next set of quantifiers.
