Connotation/Attitudes of Quantifiers

 Connotation/Attitudes of Quantifiers

 A few and few (for countable) as well as a little and little (for uncountable nouns) may seem very similar, but they actually hold very different connotations.

A few and a little indicate that the speaker feels positively about the quantity he/she is describing: though he/she may not have much, it is enough. Few and little indicates the speaker feels negatively about the quantity: he/she is lacking in the noun and would like more if it were available. 

Examples:

• I have a little money for lunch. ⇒ I have enough money for lunch. 

• I have little money for lunch. ⇒ I do not have enough money for lunch. 

• The scientist has a few techniques which she can use to determine his product. ⇒ The scientist has enough techniques which she can use to determine his product. 

• The scientist has few techniques which she can use to determine his product.⇒ The scientist does not have enough techniques which she can she use to determine his product.

AUTHOR

Dr L Suresh

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science

Coimbatore - 641020

Contact: 9944138137

e-mail ID: sureshenglit@rmv.ac.in