How many is a few ? – is generally considered to mean between two and, Some people use a few to mean around three, but this is not a universal interpretation. Its meaning is highly relative to the context—it often depends on what’s being discussed, especially the scale and expectations.
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Does few mean 3 or 4?
Few is 3, some is 4, 5, or 6, several is 7, 8, or 9, and many means 10 or more. As you most likely know, the meaning of words can change over time.
Is few 3 or 5?
While many would agree that few means three or more, the dictionary definition is, ‘not many but more than one.’ So, a few cannot be one, but it can be as low as two.
Does a few mean 3 or more?
How to Determine The Quantity in Words – Aubrey shares that the words “a couple of,” “several,” and “a few” are determiners. They are known as modifying nouns. Lindsay and Aubrey will dive into each word and share with you the meaning and how to use it properly.
A couple of.
Aubrey says that this usually does mean two. We call two partners who are either dating or married “a couple.” However, when it comes to expressing quantity with the word ‘couple’ it’s not exact. We’re less precise about this when it comes to time and amounts of things like these examples:
a couple of minutes a couple of cookies
Aubrey shares that it drives her kids crazy when she answers “a couple of minutes” to her kids when she’s asked how long she’ll be ready. She’ll be done 20 minutes after and her kids would ask her “what does a couple even mean?” It becomes an expression to say “a couple of minutes” when you want to de-emphasize the fact that it may take longer than expected.
A Few
Usually, “a few” means three but it’s the same thing as saying “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.” It could mean anything. “I’m going to eat a few cookies” could mean 20 cookies. Just like saying “a couple of.” when pertaining to time and quantity it can be a large amount. You can also use this to reverse exaggerate the true quantity.
Several
Several pertains to a quantity of more than three. If you want someone to expect that you are going to be done quickly, you shouldn’t say “I’ll be ready in several minutes.” It sounds too long and they might not wait. What we can do is to truly emphasize a big quantity that would help you in the conversation.
- Here are some examples: I can think of several examples.
- I did several chores.
- Let’s say a person has won four awards and has been in four car accidents, they’d probably say, “I’ve won several awards and I’ve been in a few car accidents.” You can listen to an episode the All Ears English team did that can help you further understand this.
You can check out episode AEE 1380: Grammar Part 6: A Few Tips to Add a Little Polish to Your Job Interviews in English
Is 5 few or several?
‘Couple,’ ‘Few,’ and ‘Several’: The (Mostly) Definitive Guide Couple is used to refer to two things, but is also often used for a small number greater than two. Few is used the same way as couple and also for a number slightly greater than a couple. Several is usually used for a number greater than a couple and a few.
Occasionally it is used in the same way as couple and few, One of the gripes lexicographers hear with regularity is that people don’t use words precisely or accurately. Many such complaints, however, are guided by the assumption that we’re the ones who should enforce precise usage (rather than what we really do, which is record the actual usage of words, even when that usage is considered wrong, loose, or otherwise.
squishy ). We are nothing if not helpful, though, so we have taken one common set of words that people often ask about—,, and —and will offer below some general usage guidelines. 
How many couples are in this stock photo search result for ‘a few’? Several?
Is 6 a few or several?
a couple vs. a few – In casual use, a couple and a few are often used interchangeably to refer to a low but nonspecific number of things. A couple is often more strictly interpreted as two or at least around two—maybe three or four, depending on the context.
- It’s possible that some people say a couple when they mean two or even three but then switch to a few when they mean three or four or more.
- But there’s no “correct” definition—everyone’s use differs without the meaning being misinterpreted too much.
- Of the two, a few is the more flexible.
- Most people would probably agree that even though a few and a couple are commonly used interchangeably, a few more commonly refers to higher quantities than a couple does.
A couple is typically a small number, while a few can range higher depending on the context, scale, and expectations of what’s being discussed. When it comes to several, well, there are going to be several answers. Generally speaking, several is used to refer to quantities above two or so but not so much that it’s a lot or many,
How many is a few hours?
The word ‘few’ is used to emphasize how small a number is or a group of people. When we use the phrase ‘a few hours’ we mean something is going to happen within three or more hours or after three or more hours.
How many is a few years?
Generally longer than 2 years and less than 20, but it’s all relative (especially when speaking with your relatives). I would say that ‘a few years ago’ (with or without the ‘now’) is about three to seven years ago, whereas ‘a fair few years ago’ is more than that, maybe more in the range you had in mind.
Does a few days mean 2 or 3?
‘A few days’ is three or four days (give or take a day.) ‘Several days’ is four or five days (give or take a day.)
How many is a few months?
In American English, “a few” would be between three and five. If it were only two (or perhaps three), we’d say “a couple”. “Several” would probably be about five to seven or eight. These are just approximate numbers — used when we don’t really want to give an exact figure, for some reason.
Does a few mean a lot?
The Difference Between “Few” and “A Few” | Britannica Dictionary
- Ask the Editor
- Question
- What is the difference between “few” and “a few”? — Felipe, Mexico
- Answer
Few means “not many (people or things).” It is used to say that there are not a lot of people or things. A few means “some (people or things).” It is used to say that there are a small number of people or things. Below are some examples showing how each is used.
- I have a few friends.
- I have few friends.
- A few people arrived early.
- Few people arrived early.
- A few of the students forgot to bring their books to class.
- Few (if any) of the students forgot to bring their books to class.
- Most of his books are boring, but there are a few that I like.
Most of his books are boring. There are few that I like. The difference in meaning is subtle, but usually few puts a little more attention on the negative—that there is not a large number (of people or things). A few puts a little more attention on the positive—that there is a small number (of people or things).
Does a few mean not many?
Few and A Few, Not Many and Some | Britannica Dictionary
Ask the Editor Question Which is correct, “I have few words to say” or “I have a few words to say”? — Chiamaka, Nigeria Answer
“I have few words to say” and “I have a few words to say” have different meanings. “Few” means “not many” but “a few” means “not many, but some.” While they both mean “not many” or “a small number,” “few” emphasizes the smallness of the number and “a few” emphases that there are some, rather than none at all.
A few people at the party stayed late. I bought a few apples at the store. Few students aced the test. Few birds ever come to our feeders.
I hope this helps. You can read more articles in the, : Few and A Few, Not Many and Some | Britannica Dictionary
How many weeks is a few?
Literally it means 2 weeks. In popular usage, it means a period around two weeks, say two to three or even four weeks. Actually, it’s a rough measure or approximation of a time span.
How much is a few vs several?
Anything more than a couple but less than a handful is a few. Some is more than a handful but less than a dozen. Several is more than a dozen but less than a score, which is 20. Many is any number more than 20.
How many is quite a few?
An indefinite and somewhat large number; more than a few ; a fair number of.
When to use a few?
Grammar explanation – A few and a bit of or a little mean some, Often we feel this amount is enough or more than we expected. We use a few with plural nouns and a bit of or a little with uncountable nouns. I have a few ideas. I’ve brought a few friends.
There’s a bit of milk left. It needs a little more work. We use few and very little to show that we are talking about a small amount. Often we feel this amount is not enough or less than we expected. Few is for countable nouns and very little is for uncountable nouns. Few people came to the meeting. There are few places where you can still see these birds.
We have very little time. I have very little money. Note that you can use little without very, but it is less common and sounds quite formal. She had little water. Do this exercise to test your grammar again. Grammar test 2 Countable and uncountable nouns 2: Grammar test 2 Do you need to improve your English grammar? Join thousands of learners from around the world who are improving their English grammar with our online courses.
What is several vs many?
In fact, compared with the term ‘many’, ‘several’ refers to a smaller number; while ‘many’ refers to a larger number.
How many is several days?
A couple of days is usually two to three days but usually not more. Several days is usually four or five days.
What is the meaning of a few days?
‘A few days’ generally means a small number of days, usually between 2 to 5 days, but it can vary depending on the conte.
How many is a few minutes?
How many minutes is a few minutes? In most cases thats between one and 10 minutes. Sometimes, though, this period can be up to 15 minutes.
How long is a few time?
Few is generally 2 to 4 hours. We also say a couple of hours and couple usually means 2 but in this case it could be 3 or 4 hours.
How long is just a few minutes?
‘A few minutes’ is generally regarded as a slightly longer timeframe than ‘a couple of minutes’, because a couple means two minutes, and a few means anything from three minutes upwards.
What does minus a few mean?
minus – ( minuses plural ) 1 conj You use minus to show that one number or quantity is being subtracted from another. (=less) (Antonym: plus) One minus one is zero., They’ve been promised their full July salary minus the hardship payment.2 adj Minus before a number or quantity means that the number or quantity is less than zero.
ADJ amount The aircraft was subjected to temperatures of minus 65 degrees and plus 120 degrees.3 (Antonym: plus) Teachers use minus in grading work in schools and colleges. `B minus’ is not as good as `B’, but is a better grade than `C’. I’m giving him a B minus.4 prep To be minus something means not to have that thing.
(=without) The film company collapsed, leaving Chris jobless and minus his life savings.5 n-count A minus is a disadvantage. INFORMAL (=drawback) (Antonym: plus) The minuses far outweigh that possible gain.6 You use plus or minus to give the amount by which a particular number may vary.
♦ plus or minus phrase PHR amount The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 per cent. minus sign ( minus signs plural ) A minus sign is the sign – which is put between two numbers in order to show that the second number is being subtracted from the first one. It is also put before a number to show that the number is less than zero.
n-count Translation English Cobuild Collins Dictionary Collaborative Dictionary English Cobuild
| like nothing | adv. | very little; very few ; said to indicate that something is in a low amount/quantity or insignificant | E.g. You weigh like nothing; It costs like nothing; It is a big deal, but you make it look like nothing. | |
| exercise widow | exp. | someone who spends very few time with his wife/ her husband because of the partner’s preoccupation with physical exercise |
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Does a few days mean 2 or 3?
‘A few days’ is three or four days (give or take a day.) ‘Several days’ is four or five days (give or take a day.)
What is meaning by a few?
1. : consisting of or amounting to only a small number. one of our few pleasures.2. : at least some but indeterminately small in number.
How many is a few years?
Generally longer than 2 years and less than 20, but it’s all relative (especially when speaking with your relatives). I would say that ‘a few years ago’ (with or without the ‘now’) is about three to seven years ago, whereas ‘a fair few years ago’ is more than that, maybe more in the range you had in mind.