Few vs. A few / Little vs. A little – English Grammar Exercises for B1
You are hosting an outdoor BBQ party. You are checking your preparation list and calling a friend who is on their way to ask them to buy some extra supplies. Choose the correct quantifier (A, B, C, or D) to complete your conversation naturally.
1 "Hey! Are you on your way? Could you bring ______ extra folding chairs from your house? We are short by about three seats."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
2 "Also, could you buy ______ more plastic cups at the store? Some people might want to use two cups."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
3 "I just checked the cooler. There is very ______ ice left, so please grab a large bag from the gas station."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
4 "We only have ______ barbecue sauce remaining in the bottle. Can you buy one more just to be safe?"
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
5 "Don't buy too many hot dogs. Very ______ people actually eat them nowadays; everyone prefers burgers."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
6 "Instead, could you buy ______ extra veggie burgers? Sarah and her friends are vegetarians."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
7 "I think we need ______ more napkins. A single pack won't be enough for twenty people eating messy food."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
8 "Can you also bring ______ extra cash? The meat delivery guy doesn't take credit cards."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
9 "We still have ______ time before the first guests arrive, so please don't rush and drive safely."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
10 "I almost forgot! We have very ______ charcoal left. The fire might die out before we cook the steak."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
11 "Could you grab ______ more wooden skewers for the chicken? We are missing about four of them."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
12 "Please buy ______ more bottles of water. It's going to be really hot this afternoon."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
13 "Don't worry about buying beer. Very ______ guests are drinking alcohol today because they have to drive home."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
14 "I made a large salad, but it just needs ______ olive oil on top to taste absolutely perfect."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
15 "We have very ______ space on this picnic table, so I am going to set up another table in the garden."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
16 "Just get ______ bags of potato chips for the kids to snack on while they wait for the food."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
17 "There are ______ dark clouds in the sky, but the weather forecast says it definitely won't rain."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
18 "We need ______ more aluminum foil to wrap the baked potatoes. One small roll should be enough."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
19 "Very ______ supermarkets are open on a Sunday holiday, so please go directly to the 24-hour store on Main Street."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
20 "Thanks for doing this! Just give me ______ minutes to send you the money on the banking app."
(A) a few
(B) few
(C) a little
(D) little
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (A) a few
Why it is correct: "Chairs" is a plural countable noun. You are asking for a small, positive addition (about three seats) to complete the setup. Positive countable = "a few".
2 (A) a few
Why it is correct: "Cups" is a plural countable noun. You need a small extra amount to ensure there is enough. Positive countable = "a few".
3 (D) little
Why it is correct: "Ice" is an uncountable noun. The phrase "very ___ left" indicates a negative shortage that could ruin the drinks. Negative uncountable = "little".
4 (C) a little
Why it is correct: "Barbecue sauce" is an uncountable liquid. You have "only a little" (a small amount). It is used positively here to describe the small remaining quantity before asking for an extra bottle.
5 (B) few
Why it is correct: "People" is a plural countable noun. You are pointing out a negative lack of interest (almost zero people eat them). The word "very" emphasizes the negative meaning. Negative countable = "few".
6 (A) a few
Why it is correct: "Veggie burgers" is a plural countable noun. You need a small, sufficient amount for Sarah and her friends. Positive countable = "a few".
7 (A) a few
Why it is correct: "Napkins" is a plural countable noun. You want to add a small amount to your current supplies to make sure everyone is covered. Positive countable = "a few".
8 (C) a little
Why it is correct: "Cash" is an uncountable noun. You are asking for a small, helpful amount of money to pay the delivery guy. Positive uncountable = "a little".
9 (C) a little
Why it is correct: "Time" is uncountable. You are reassuring your friend that you still have some time (a positive buffer), so they don't need to rush. Positive uncountable = "a little".
10 (D) little
Why it is correct: "Charcoal" is uncountable. The word "very" and the danger of the fire dying out show this is a severe, negative shortage. Negative uncountable = "little".
11 (A) a few
Why it is correct: "Wooden skewers" is a plural countable noun. You are missing "about four" (a small, specific number) and need them to complete the meal. Positive countable = "a few".
12 (A) a few
Why it is correct: "Bottles" is a plural countable noun. You are requesting a small, positive addition to the drinks. Positive countable = "a few".
13 (B) few
Why it is correct: "Guests" is a plural countable noun. "Very ___" indicates that almost zero guests are drinking because they have to drive. Negative countable = "few".
14 (C) a little
Why it is correct: "Olive oil" is an uncountable liquid. You only need a small, positive splash to make it perfect. Positive uncountable = "a little".
15 (D) little
Why it is correct: "Space" is uncountable. There is almost zero room on the table, which is a negative problem requiring a second table. Negative uncountable = "little".
16 (A) a few
Why it is correct: "Bags" is a plural countable noun. You just want a small amount of snacks for the kids. Positive countable = "a few".
17 (A) a few
Why it is correct: "Clouds" is a plural countable noun. There are some clouds (a visible, small amount), but the weather is still fine. Positive countable = "a few".
18 (C) a little
Why it is correct: "Aluminum foil" is an uncountable material. You need a small, sufficient amount to wrap the potatoes. Positive uncountable = "a little".
19 (B) few
Why it is correct: "Supermarkets" is a plural countable noun. "Very ___" means almost zero stores are open. Negative countable = "few".
20 (A) a few
Why it is correct: "Minutes" is a plural countable noun. You just need a small, sufficient amount of time to transfer the money. Positive countable = "a few".
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 The "Top-Up" Rule (A few / A little):
- When you are hosting an event or doing a project and you realize you are slightly short on supplies, you use A few (for countable items) or A little (for uncountable items) to request the missing amount.
- It carries a positive, problem-solving tone. It means: "We just need a small extra amount, and everything will be perfect."
- Example: "Bring a few chairs." (Countable - We just need 2 or 3 more).
- Example: "Bring a little cash." (Uncountable - We just need a small amount to pay).
2 The Countable vs. Uncountable Checklist:
Before you choose your answer, always look at the noun that comes after the blank:
- Can I count it with numbers? (1 chair, 2 cups, 3 napkins, 4 bottles) → Use (A) Few.
- Is it a liquid, material, concept, or bulk item? (ice, sauce, time, cash, space) → Use (A) Little.
3 The "Very" Rule for Shortages:
- If you want to complain that you have a severe, negative shortage that could ruin the party, drop the "A" and add "Very".
- Example: "We have very little ice." (Almost zero → The drinks will be warm!).
- Example: "There are very few hot dogs." (Almost zero → We don't have enough food).