few 和 a few 都只用於修飾或代替複數可數名詞，它們表肯定意義與否定意義的基本原則如下：
1. 單獨使用的 few，它在形式上是肯定的，但在意義上卻是否定的，其意為“很少”“幾乎沒有”
He has few friends besides us.除了我們，他幾乎沒什麼朋友。
There are few settlements in the wilderness.在那荒野的地方很少有部落。
We are making a few alterations to the house. 我們對房子進行了一些改建。
He is very shy and has few friends. 他非常害羞，朋友很少。
A lot of guests were expected, but few came. 本來預計要來很多客人，但沒來幾個。
As yet few have done their full duty, present company excepted. 迄今全部完成任務的人很少，在座的人除外。
2. 帶不定冠詞的 a few 表示肯定意義，其意為“幾個”“一些”。如：
I anticipate a few problems. 我預料會遇到幾個問題。
Only a few people have been to the Arctic Circle. 只有少數人去過北極圈。
In a few minutes, the tired boy fell asleep. 不幾分鐘疲倦的男孩就睡了。
I will throw out a few points that you will think about.我將提出幾點意見供你思考。
The road bends to the right after a few yards. 這條路在幾碼遠的地方轉向右方。
I just had time to cram down a few biscuits before we left. 在我們離開之前，我只來得及吃了幾塊餅乾。
A few specimens will illustrate their general character. 幾個標本就能說明它們的基本特徵。
We reconstructed what the dinosaur looked like from a few of its bones. 我們根據恐龍的一些骨頭重組恐龍的原貌。
3. 當few前使用了定冠詞、物主代詞或其他限定詞時，則不表否定意義。如：
I need another few days before I can make up my mind. 我還需幾天才能決定。
She tied up her few belongings into a bundle. 她把自己僅有的幾件東西束成一捆。
Guests were crowded into the few remaining rooms. 把客人都擠在剩餘的幾個房間裡了。
These few words fully revealed her noble quality. 這寥寥幾句話充分顯示了她的崇高品質。
I never expected those few items to come to so much. 我絕想不到就那麼幾項合計起來竟要這麼多錢。
The ten men have packed what few belongings they have. 這10個人已將他們僅有的一點行裝打點好了。
4. 注意：not a few的意思不是“很少”，而是“不少”或“相當多”，它與quite a few, a good few大致同義。如：
Not a few of my friends are vegetarian. 我朋友中不少人吃素。
There were hundreds of protestors, not a few of whom were women. 有數百名抗議者，其中相當一部分為婦女。
few 和 a few 都只用於修飾或代替複數可數名詞，它們表肯定意義與否定意義的基本原則如下：
1. 單獨使用的 few，它在形式上是肯定的，但在意義上卻是否定的，其意為“很少”“幾乎沒有”
He has few friends besides us.除了我們，他幾乎沒什麼朋友。
There are few settlements in the wilderness.在那荒野的地方很少有部落。
We are making a few alterations to the house. 我們對房子進行了一些改建。
He is very shy and has few friends. 他非常害羞，朋友很少。
A lot of guests were expected, but few came. 本來預計要來很多客人，但沒來幾個。
As yet few have done their full duty, present company excepted. 迄今全部完成任務的人很少，在座的人除外。
2. 帶不定冠詞的 a few 表示肯定意義，其意為“幾個”“一些”。如：
I anticipate a few problems. 我預料會遇到幾個問題。
Only a few people have been to the Arctic Circle. 只有少數人去過北極圈。
In a few minutes, the tired boy fell asleep. 不幾分鐘疲倦的男孩就睡了。
I will throw out a few points that you will think about.我將提出幾點意見供你思考。
The road bends to the right after a few yards. 這條路在幾碼遠的地方轉向右方。
I just had time to cram down a few biscuits before we left. 在我們離開之前，我只來得及吃了幾塊餅乾。
A few specimens will illustrate their general character. 幾個標本就能說明它們的基本特徵。
We reconstructed what the dinosaur looked like from a few of its bones. 我們根據恐龍的一些骨頭重組恐龍的原貌。
3. 當few前使用了定冠詞、物主代詞或其他限定詞時，則不表否定意義。如：
I need another few days before I can make up my mind. 我還需幾天才能決定。
She tied up her few belongings into a bundle. 她把自己僅有的幾件東西束成一捆。
Guests were crowded into the few remaining rooms. 把客人都擠在剩餘的幾個房間裡了。
These few words fully revealed her noble quality. 這寥寥幾句話充分顯示了她的崇高品質。
I never expected those few items to come to so much. 我絕想不到就那麼幾項合計起來竟要這麼多錢。
The ten men have packed what few belongings they have. 這10個人已將他們僅有的一點行裝打點好了。
4. 注意：not a few的意思不是“很少”，而是“不少”或“相當多”，它與quite a few, a good few大致同義。如：
Not a few of my friends are vegetarian. 我朋友中不少人吃素。
There were hundreds of protestors, not a few of whom were women. 有數百名抗議者，其中相當一部分為婦女。