Only a few | The Grammar Exchange

englishnutMember

As you know, "only few" and "only little" are not correct, and we normally say "only a few" and "only a little".

But what's the grammatical reason? I think the reason solely has to do with the semantic, rather than syntax. Correct me if I am wrong.

Source: General question

4/13/189:58 PM

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David, ModeratorModerator

quote:
As you know, "only few" and "only little" are not correct

Hi, Englishnut,

That generalization is not true. The word strings "only few" and "only little" can indeed be grammatically correct, as they are here:

only few

only little

If that doesn't match the syntactic context you had in mind, I won't be surprised. But, then, do you really want to say syntax is irrelevant?

englishnutMember

quote:
do you really want to say syntax is irrelevant?

Not at all.
I was asked (by my students) several times that why we can't say "only few". Can you imagine a case in which "only few" is wrong? If so, tell me why you think it's not proper there.

I can understand that in both of your sentences, "only few" and "only little" are right.

4/14/1810:32 PM

Me_IVMember

I wish I knew the reason for it as well.

David, ModeratorModerator

@Me_IV posted:
I wish I knew the reason for it as well.

What exactly do you wish you knew the reason for, Me_IV?

Me_IVMember

The reason for this being correct

The band is ready to start, only few people have arrived.

David, ModeratorModerator

@Me_IV posted:
The reason for this being correct
The band is ready to start, only few people have arrived.

"Only" can be used as a conjunction, meaning "however" or "on the other hand." "Only" introduces the clause "Few people have arrived." Compare:

The band is ready to start; however, few people have arrived.
The band is ready to start; on the other hand, few people have arrived.

12/6/2010:09 AM

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