What is difference between a little, little, a few and few?

The difference between "a little," "little," "a few," and "few" lies in the amount or quantity they refer to:

1. A little: This phrase is used to indicate a small amount or quantity of something. It suggests that there is some of the item, but not a lot. For example, "I have a little money left in my wallet."

2. Little: This word is used to indicate a very small amount or quantity of something. It suggests that there is hardly any of the item. For example, "There is little time left before the deadline."

3. A few: This phrase is used to indicate a small number of items or people. It suggests that there are some of the item, but not many. For example, "I have a few friends coming over for dinner."

4. Few: This word is used to indicate a very small number of items or people. It suggests that there are hardly any of the item. For example, "Few people attended the event."

Little and A Little

- Little is an adjective that means "not much" or "insufficient." It is used before singular nouns.
- Example: There is little food left.

- A little is an indefinite article that means "a small amount." It can be used before both singular and plural nouns.
- Example: I need a little help carrying these bags.

Few and A Few

- Few is an adjective that means "not many" or "insufficient." It is used before plural nouns.
- Example: There are few people in the waiting room.

- A few is an indefinite article that means "a small number." It can be used before plural nouns.
- Example: I have a few ideas for the project.

Summary

| | Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Little | Adjective | Not used |
| A little | Indefinite article | Indefinite article |
| Few | Adjective | Adjective |
| A few | Indefinite article | Indefinite article |