Few vs. Some: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Published on November 28, 2023
"Few" refers to a small number of countable items; "Some" indicates an unspecified number or amount of countable or uncountable items.
Key Differences
"Few" and "Some" are both quantifiers, but they differ in their specific usages and nuances. "Few" typically signifies a very small number, sometimes implying "not enough" of countable nouns. On the other hand, "Some" is more neutral and can apply to both countable and uncountable nouns without any inherent negative connotation.
For example, if someone says, "I have few friends," it might suggest they don't have as many friends as they'd like. However, "I have some friends" doesn't provide any indication of the speaker's satisfaction with the number.
While "Few" always deals with countable nouns, "Some" demonstrates versatility by associating with both countable and uncountable nouns. For instance, one could say "I have some milk" or "I have some apples."
In questions, "Some" often expects a positive answer, as in "Would you like some coffee?" Conversely, using "Few" in questions is less common and might appear in contexts like "Are there few enough participants to fit in one car?"
An important distinction is that "Few" can be graded, leading to comparative forms like "fewer" and superlative forms like "fewest." "Some," however, doesn't have comparable gradations.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Often implies "not enough"
Neutral
Applicability
Only countable nouns
Both countable and uncountable nouns
Example Usage
Few books, few cars
Some books, some water
In Questions
Less common, e.g., "Are there few options?"
Expects positive answer, "Need some help?"
Graded Forms
Fewer (comparative), fewest (superlative)
No graded forms
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Few and Some Definitions
Few
Few indicates a small number.
There are few cookies left in the jar.
Some
Some refers to an unspecified number or amount.
I need some time to think.
Few
Few is used with countable nouns.
Few students passed the test.
Some
Some can be used with countable and uncountable nouns.
She bought some apples and some juice.
Few
Few suggests not as many as expected.
I thought there'd be more, but only a few showed up.
Some
Some is often used in offers or requests.
Would you like some tea?
Few
Few can imply scarcity.
Few opportunities like this come around.
Some
Some indicates a portion of a whole.
Some people prefer winter over summer.
Few
Few can be graded to "fewer" or "fewest".
He has the fewest candies among us.
Some
Being an unspecified number or quantity
Some people came into the room. Would you like some sugar?.
Few
Amounting to or consisting of a small number
One of my few bad habits. See Usage Note at less.
Some
Being a portion or an unspecified number or quantity of a whole or group
He likes some modern sculpture but not all.
Few
Being more than one but indefinitely small in number
Bowled a few strings.
Some
Being a considerable number or quantity
She has been directing films for some years now.
Few
An indefinitely small number of persons or things
A few of the books have torn jackets.
Some
Unknown or unspecified by name
Some man called.
Few
An exclusive or limited number
The discerning few.
The fortunate few.
Some
(Logic) Being part and perhaps all of a class.
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
(Informal) Remarkable
She is some skier.
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
Approximately; about
Some 40 people attended the rally.
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
(Informal) Somewhat
Some tired.
Few
(US?) Having a 10 percent chance of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch); used interchangeably with isolated.
Some
A certain number, at least two.
Some enjoy spicy food, others prefer it milder.
Few
Few people, few things.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
Some
An indefinite quantity.
Can I have some of them?
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
An indefinite amount, a part.
Please give me some of the cake.
Everyone is wrong some of the time.
Few
An indefinite but relatively small number;
They bought a case of beer and drank a few
Some
A certain proportion of, at least two.
Some people like camping.
Few
A small elite group;
It was designed for the discriminating few
Some
An unspecified quantity or number of.
Would you like some grapes?
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
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
Some is neutral without specific quantity.
There are some books on the table.
FAQs
Can "Some" be used for both countable and uncountable nouns?
Yes, "Some" can refer to both, like "some apples" or "some water."
Does "Few" always have a negative connotation?
Often, but not always. The context can determine its nuance.
Is there a comparative form of "Some"?
No, "Some" doesn't have comparative or superlative forms like "Few" does.
Does "A few" mean the same as "Some"?
While both can indicate a small, unspecified number, "A few" is for countable nouns, and "Some" can be broader in application.
How is "Some" typically used in questions?
"Some" in questions often expects a positive answer, e.g., "Would you like some cake?"
Why might someone use "Few" instead of a specific number?
"Few" can be used when the exact number isn't known or when emphasizing the smallness of the quantity.
Can "Few" imply rarity?
Yes, like in "few and far between."
How is "Few" different from "A few"?
"Few" implies a small number, often with a sense of "not enough", while "A few" is more neutral, indicating a small number without the negative connotation.
Which is used for countable nouns, "Few" or "Some"?
Both can be used, but "Few" is exclusively for countable nouns.
Can "Few" be used with uncountable nouns?
No, "Few" is used only with countable nouns.
What's a typical situation to use "Some"?
"Some" is often used when the exact quantity is unknown or unspecified.
Can "Some" indicate more than half?
"Some" is neutral and doesn't specify an exact portion, so it can be more, less, or about half.
How can "Few" be graded?
"Few" has comparative "fewer" and superlative "fewest."
Is "Some" always vague?
Typically, "Some" doesn't specify an exact quantity, making it somewhat vague.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
