Little/a little Vs Few/a few
统统傻傻搞不清楚?
Little /a little VS few/a few
很多同学知道这两者最大的区别是:little/a little 后跟不可数名词,而few/a few后跟复数的可数名词。
这是这两组词最基本的一个区别。让我们先看些例句加深下印象:
Little /a little:
E.g. We managed to save a little money.
I’ve got so much to do and so little time to do it in.
注意:
在作代名词时,指的也是不可数名词:
E.g. Little has been revealed about his background.
Jordan has lost little of his Irish accent.
Few /a few:
E.g. The pictures were taken at one of his few public appearances.
I’ve turned down a few job offers.
注意:
在作代名词时,也指的是可数名词:
E.g. Few of the retail firms are offering a home delivery service
She approached several people, but few were interested.
Little VS a little
通过以上可以看出,little和a little都可以放在不可数名词前,形容量小,但它们之间的用法区别在于它们所处的语境。
Little用来强调某物比你希望或期待的量要小 (not much; not enough):
E.g. Unfortunately, there is little hope of finding survivors.
【中文翻译:“不幸的是,我们只有很小的机会找到幸存者。”很显然,作者希望会有更大的机会找到幸存者,然而事实上可能性只有一点。】
E.g. There has been little change since this morning.
【中文翻译:“自今早事件仅有很小的变化。”这句也隐含较失望的语气。】
A little 用来形容量小(但可能比你期待的要多一点):
Little用法的第一个例句如果换为a little,在中文理解的时候,意义就大不一样了。
英文原应为: “Fortunately, there is a little hope of finding survivors.”
中文理解应该是“(尽管事态很严重)幸好,还是有一点希望找回幸存者的。”
E.g. I had a little money left so I took a taxi.
中文翻译:我当时还剩下些现金,所以我就打车走了。
Few VS a few
和以上类似, few和a few的用法也决定于语境。
Few用来强调某物比你希望或期待的量要小 (not many; not enough):
E.g. At that time, there were few women in management positions.
【中文翻译:“在当时,只有极少的女性担任管理职位。”】
E.g. There are few sweets left in the jar.
【中文翻译:“罐子里只剩下几粒糖果了。”】
A few 用来形容量小或数小(但可能比你期待的要多一点):
E.g. We have a few minutes left in class. Do you have any questions?
【中文翻译:“我们还剩下几分钟,有同学提问吗?”】
E.g. We’re having a few friends over for dinner.
【中文翻译:“我们今晚要招待些朋友。”】
总结一下:
little 和few一般带有消极的含义,
A little和a few就指的是数量小,即可以是中性的,也可是积极的。
以下是相关的小练习,同学们不妨来翻译一下:
我可以用来准备考试的时间不多了。
只有几位经理参加了这个会议。
我跟几位同事都提到了这件事。
答案在最后哦!
墨尔本课程信息快报:
下一期7分晚班,下周一(4.25)就要开课!
只剩最后几天啦,名额所剩也不多,大家可要抓紧啦!~
本期7分写作口语白班已经开课,下一期开课日期为5月2日~
悉尼课程信息快报:
7分写作口语白班:5月2日开课~
晚班:4月18日~ 就是今晚啦!
各位小烤鸭们可要抓紧啦!
无忧小雅哥 mr_51ielts
悉尼无忧雅思姐 mrs_51ielts
怎么样,都做完小练习了没?
答案如下:
There is little time left for me to prepare for my exams.
Only few managers attended the meeting.
I mentioned this matter to a few colleagues.
大家都做对了没?O(∩_∩)O
没有做对的,赶紧改正哦!