Few vs. Some — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 20, 2023
"Few" refers to a small number, often emphasizing scarcity, while "Some" is a more general term indicating an unspecified quantity, not necessarily small.
Difference Between Few and Some
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Few" specifically denotes a small number of items or people, highlighting that the number is less than expected or desired. On the other hand, "Some" is an indeterminate quantity that doesn't specify if it's large or small, only that it's more than one and less than all.
In contexts where scarcity or lack is implied, "Few" is a more fitting choice. For example, when emphasizing that not many people attended an event, "Few" would be apt. Conversely, "Some" is neutral and can be used when the emphasis on the number's size isn't crucial.
"Few" and "Some" both function as quantifiers in the English language. While "Few" is typically used with countable nouns, suggesting a number not reaching the average or expected amount, "Some" can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns, signifying an unspecified amount or number.
"Few" often carries a more negative connotation than "Some." For instance, stating "Few students passed the test" implies a situation of concern, whereas "Some students passed the test" is more neutral, without emphasizing the limited number.
Both "Few" and "Some" serve as vital tools for expressing quantity in the English language. However, their use varies based on the context, the nature of the noun they modify, and the speaker's intent to emphasize or downplay the quantity.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Can imply scarcity or a smaller number.
Generally neutral, indicates an unspecified number.
Quantity Indication
Indicates a small number, often less than expected or desired.
Indicates a moderate or considerable number.
Use as Pronoun
Can be used as a pronoun to represent a small group.
Can be used as a pronoun to represent a part of a whole.
Use in Questions
Less commonly used in questions, indicates expected negative answer.
Commonly used in questions to indicate an expected positive or neutral answer.
Examples
Few people attended the event.
Some people prefer tea over coffee.
Compare with Definitions
Few
Rare Occurrence: Something that happens rarely.
Mistakes in his work are few.
Some
Positive Response in Questions: Used in questions to offer or suggest something.
Would you like some coffee?
Few
Almost None: Very close to none; minimal.
Few drops of rain fell during the drought.
Some
An unspecified amount or number of
He played some records for me
I made some money running errands
Few
Small Quantity: A small number of items or people.
Few students passed the tough exam.
Some
Used to refer to someone or something that is unknown or unspecified
I was talking to some journalist the other day
He's in some kind of trouble
There must be some mistake
Few
Not Many: Not many; used to emphasize the small number of something.
Few individuals possess such a talent.
Some
(used with a number) approximately
Some thirty different languages are spoken
Few
Amounting to or consisting of a small number
One of my few bad habits. See Usage Note at less.
Some
(pronounced stressing ‘some’) a considerable amount or number of
I've known you for some years now
He went to some trouble
Few
Being more than one but indefinitely small in number
Bowled a few strings.
Some
(pronounced stressing ‘some’) at least a small amount or number of
He liked some music but generally wasn't musical
Few
An indefinitely small number of persons or things
A few of the books have torn jackets.
Some
(pronounced stressing ‘some’) expressing admiration of something notable
That was some goal
Few
An exclusive or limited number
The discerning few.
The fortunate few.
Some
An unspecified number or amount of people or things
If you want whisky I'll give you some
Here are some of our suggestions
Few
(preceded by another determiner) An indefinite, but usually small, number of.
There are a few cars (=some, but a relatively small number) in the street.
Quite a few people (=a significant number) were pleasantly surprised.
I think he's had a few drinks. [This usage is likely ironic.]
Some
(pronounced stressing ‘some’) at least a small amount or number of people or things
Surely some have noticed
Few
(used alone) Not many; a small (in comparison with another number stated or implied) but somewhat indefinite number of.
There are very few people who understand quantum theory.
I was expecting a big crowd at the party, but very few people (=almost none) turned up.
Some
To some extent; quite a lot
He needs feeding up some
Few
Obscuring one to two oktas (eighths) of the sky.
Tonight: A few clouds. Increasing cloudiness overnight.
NOAA definition of the term "few clouds": An official sky cover classification for aviation weather observations, descriptive of a sky cover of 1/8 to 2/8. This is applied only when obscuring phenomena aloft are present--that is, not when obscuring phenomena are surface-based, such as fog.
Some
Being an unspecified number or quantity
Some people came into the room. Would you like some sugar?.
Few
(US?) Having a 10 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch); used interchangeably with isolated.
Some
Being a portion or an unspecified number or quantity of a whole or group
He likes some modern sculpture but not all.
Few
Few people, few things.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Some
Being a considerable number or quantity
She has been directing films for some years now.
Few
Not many; small, limited, or confined in number; - indicating a small portion of units or individuals constituting a whole; often, by ellipsis of a noun, a few people.
Few know and fewer care.
Some
Unknown or unspecified by name
Some man called.
Few
An indefinite but relatively small number;
They bought a case of beer and drank a few
Some
(Logic) Being part and perhaps all of a class.
Few
A small elite group;
It was designed for the discriminating few
Some
(Informal) Remarkable
She is some skier.
Few
A quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by `a'; a small but indefinite number;
A few weeks ago
A few more wagons than usual
An invalid's pleasures are few and far between
Few roses were still blooming
Few women have led troops in battle
Some
Approximately; about
Some 40 people attended the rally.
Few
Less Than Expected: Less than what might be expected or desired.
Few options were available at the store.
Some
(Informal) Somewhat
Some tired.
Some
A certain number, at least two.
Some enjoy spicy food, others prefer it milder.
Some
An indefinite quantity.
Can I have some of them?
Some
An indefinite amount, a part.
Please give me some of the cake.
Everyone is wrong some of the time.
Some
A certain proportion of, at least two.
Some people like camping.
Some
An unspecified quantity or number of.
Would you like some grapes?
Some
An unspecified amount of (something uncountable).
Would you like some water?
After some persuasion, he finally agreed.
Some
A certain, an unspecified or unknown.
I've just met some guy who said he knew you.
The sequence S converges to zero for some initial value v.
Some
A considerable quantity or number of.
He had edited the paper for some years.
He stopped working some time ago.
Some
Approximately, about (with a number).
She had been employed at that company for some five years now.
There were only some three or four cars in the lot at the time.
Some
(informal) A remarkable.
He is some acrobat!
Some
Of a measurement: approximately, roughly.
I guess he must have weighed some 90 kilos.
Some 30,000 spectators witnessed the feat.
Some 4,000 acres of land were flooded.
Some
(dialect) To a certain extent, or for a certain period.
Some
Consisting of a greater or less portion or sum; composed of a quantity or number which is not stated; - used to express an indefinite quantity or number; as, some wine; some water; some persons. Used also pronominally; as, I have some.
Some theoretical writers allege that there was a time when there was no such thing as society.
Some
A certain; one; - indicating a person, thing, event, etc., as not known individually, or designated more specifically; as, some man, that is, some one man.
Some man praiseth his neighbor by a wicked intent.
Most gentlemen of property, at some period or other of their lives, are ambitious of representing their county in Parliament.
Some
Not much; a little; moderate; as, the censure was to some extent just.
Some
About; near; more or less; - used commonly with numerals, but formerly also with a singular substantive of time or distance; as, a village of some eighty houses; some two or three persons; some hour hence.
The number slain on the rebel's part were some two thousand.
Some
Considerable in number or quantity.
On its outer point, some miles away.The lighthouse lifts its massive masonry.
Some
Certain; those of one part or portion; - in distinction from other or others; as, some men believe one thing, and others another.
Some [seeds] fell among thorns; . . . but other fell into good ground.
Some
A part; a portion; - used pronominally, and followed sometimes by of; as, some of our provisions.
Your edicts some reclaim from sins,But most your life and blest example wins.
Some to the shores do fly,Some to the woods, or whither fear advised.
Some in his bed, some in the deep sea.
Some
Quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity;
Have some milk
Some roses were still blooming
Having some friends over
Some apples
Some paper
We have no bananas
No eggs left and no money to buy any
Have you no decency?
Did it with no help
I'll get you there in no time
Some
Unknown or unspecified;
Some lunatic drove into my car
Some man telephoned while you were out
Some day my prince will come
Some enchanted evening
Some
Relatively many but unspecified in number;
They were here for some weeks
We did not meet again for some years
Some
Remarkable;
That was some party
She is some skier
Some
Relatively much but unspecified in amount or extent;
We talked for some time
He was still some distance away
Some
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct;
Lasted approximately an hour
In just about a minute
He's about 30 years old
I've had about all I can stand
We meet about once a month
Some forty people came
Weighs around a hundred pounds
Roughly $3,000
Holds 3 gallons, more or less
20 or so people were at the party
Some
Unspecified Quantity: An unspecified number of items or people.
I have some friends coming over tonight.
Some
Moderate Amount: A moderate or considerable amount of something.
He has some experience in coding.
Some
Part of a Whole: Indicates a part of a whole.
Some of the cake was eaten.
Some
Approximate Number: Used to indicate an approximate number or amount.
It took some time to complete the project.
Common Curiosities
Is "few" always used in a negative context?
Not always, but "few" can imply a lesser number than expected or desired, which might give a negative nuance.
Can "some" be used to indicate a small number like "few"?
Yes, "some" can denote a small number, but it doesn't emphasize the smallness as "few" does.
Can "few" and "some" be used as pronouns?
Yes, both "few" and "some" can be used as pronouns to represent a group or part of a whole.
Can "some" be used to represent a larger number?
Yes, "some" can represent a larger number as it indicates an unspecified quantity, which might be considerable.
When should I use "few" instead of "some"?
Use "few" to emphasize a small number or scarcity, and "some" to indicate an unspecified, moderate amount.
Can "few" indicate almost none?
Yes, "few" can be used to indicate a number very close to none, or a very small number.
Can "some" be used in questions?
Yes, "some" is commonly used in questions to offer or suggest something or to expect a positive or neutral response.
What part of speech are "few" and "some"?
"Few" and "some" can function as determiners or pronouns in sentences.
Can "some" be used in a negative context?
While "some" is generally neutral, it can be used in negative contexts depending on the sentence structure and tone.
Is "a few" different from "few"?
Yes, "a few" indicates a small but positive number, while "few" can emphasize scarcity or deficiency.
Is "some" used to indicate a part of a whole?
Yes, "some" is used to denote a part or portion of a whole, without specifying the exact number.
Can "few" indicate rarity?
Yes, "few" can be used to denote something that happens rarely or scarcely.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
