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Using little, few, hardly any, scarcely any and related expressions.
Practice: build the sentences →Negative quantifiers express a small amount, a small number, or an absence of something.
Important negative or near-negative quantifiers include little, few, hardly any, scarcely any, barely any, and neither.
There is little time left.
Осталось мало времени.
"Little" expresses a small amount of an uncountable noun with a negative implication.
Few people came to the meeting.
Мало людей пришло на встречу.
"Few" expresses a small number of a plural countable noun with a negative implication.
There is hardly any milk left.
Молока почти не осталось.
"Hardly any" means almost none and can be used with uncountable nouns.
Scarcely any students attended the lecture.
Почти ни один студент не посетил лекцию.
"Scarcely any" means almost none and is more formal than "hardly any".
Neither answer is correct.
Ни один из двух ответов не правильный.
"Neither" is a negative quantifier meaning not one and not the other of two.
Little means a small amount of an uncountable noun and normally has a negative implication.
For example, There is little time left means that almost not enough time remains.
There is little time left.
Осталось мало времени.
"Little" modifies the uncountable noun "time" and implies almost not enough.
She has little interest in sports.
У неё мало интереса к спорту.
"Little" before the uncountable noun "interest" suggests a negative amount.
There is little hope of success.
Мало надежды на успех.
"Little" before the uncountable noun "hope" expresses a negative implication.
We have little information about the case.
У нас мало информации о деле.
"Little" modifies the uncountable noun "information".
He showed little patience with the children.
Он проявил мало терпения с детьми.
"Little" before the uncountable noun "patience" suggests insufficient patience.
A little means a small but real amount, while little emphasizes that the amount is small or insufficient.
Compare We have a little time left, which suggests some useful time remains, with We have little time left, which suggests there is almost not enough time.
We have a little time left.
У нас осталось немного времени.
"A little" means a small but real amount; some useful time remains.
We have little time left.
У нас осталось мало времени.
"Little" emphasizes that the amount is small or insufficient.
She has a little money saved.
У неё отложено немного денег.
"A little" suggests a small but positive amount of money.
She has little money saved.
У неё отложено мало денег.
"Little" implies almost not enough money.
There is a little hope.
Есть небольшая надежда.
"A little" gives a positive nuance: some hope exists.
Few means a small number of plural countable nouns and normally has a negative implication.
For example, Few people understood the explanation.
Few people understood the explanation.
Мало людей поняли объяснение.
"Few" modifies the plural countable noun "people" and has a negative implication.
Few students passed the exam.
Мало студентов сдали экзамен.
"Few" before the plural countable noun "students" emphasizes a small number.
There are few opportunities like this.
Есть мало таких возможностей.
"Few" modifies the plural countable noun "opportunities".
Few cars were on the road.
Мало машин было на дороге.
"Few" before the plural countable noun "cars" suggests almost none.
She has few friends in the city.
У неё мало друзей в городе.
"Few" modifies the plural countable noun "friends".
A few means a small but real number, while few emphasizes that the number is small or insufficient.
Compare A few students stayed, which means some students stayed, with Few students stayed, which emphasizes that not many stayed.
A few students stayed after the meeting.
Несколько студентов остались после встречи.
"A few" means a small but real number; some students stayed.
Few students stayed after the meeting.
Мало студентов осталось после встречи.
"Few" emphasizes that not many stayed.
I have a few questions.
У меня есть несколько вопросов.
"A few" indicates a small but sufficient number of questions.
I have few questions.
У меня мало вопросов.
"Few" suggests almost no questions.
There are a few tickets left.
Осталось несколько билетов.
"A few" means some tickets are still available.
Little is used with uncountable nouns, while few is used with plural countable nouns.
For example, little information but few facts.
There is little information available.
Доступно мало информации.
"Little" is used with the uncountable noun "information".
There are few facts available.
Доступно мало фактов.
"Few" is used with the plural countable noun "facts".
We have little time.
У нас мало времени.
"Little" modifies the uncountable noun "time".
We have few options.
У нас мало вариантов.
"Few" modifies the plural countable noun "options".
He has little money.
У него мало денег.
"Little" is used with the uncountable noun "money".
Hardly any means almost none or almost not any and can occur with countable and uncountable nouns.
For example, There is hardly any milk left and Hardly any students attended.
There is hardly any milk left.
Молока почти не осталось.
"Hardly any" means almost none and is used with the uncountable noun "milk".
Hardly any students attended the lecture.
Почти ни один студент не посетил лекцию.
"Hardly any" modifies the plural countable noun "students".
There is hardly any sugar left.
Сахара почти не осталось.
"Hardly any" before the uncountable noun "sugar".
Hardly any people came to the party.
Почти никто не пришёл на вечеринку.
"Hardly any" modifies the plural countable noun "people".
There is hardly any hope of success.
Почти нет надежды на успех.
"Hardly any" before the uncountable noun "hope".
Scarcely any means almost none and is generally more formal than hardly any.
For example, There was scarcely any evidence to support the claim.
There was scarcely any evidence to support the claim.
Было почти никаких доказательств в поддержку утверждения.
"Scarcely any" is more formal than "hardly any".
Scarcely any employees complained.
Почти ни один сотрудник не жаловался.
"Scarcely any" modifies the plural countable noun "employees".
There was scarcely any interest in the proposal.
Было почти никакого интереса к предложению.
"Scarcely any" before the uncountable noun "interest".
Scarcely any students passed the test.
Почти ни один студент не сдал тест.
"Scarcely any" modifies the plural countable noun "students".
There is scarcely any time left.
Осталось почти никакого времени.
"Scarcely any" before the uncountable noun "time".
Barely any means only a very small amount or number and commonly implies insufficiency.
For example, There was barely any food left.
There was barely any food left.
Еды почти не осталось.
"Barely any" means only a very small amount and implies insufficiency.
Barely any people noticed.
Почти никто не заметил.
"Barely any" modifies the plural countable noun "people".
There was barely any evidence.
Было почти никаких доказательств.
"Barely any" before the uncountable noun "evidence".
Barely any students came to class.
Почти ни один студент не пришёл на занятие.
"Barely any" modifies the plural countable noun "students".
There is barely any water in the bottle.
В бутылке почти нет воды.
"Barely any" before the uncountable noun "water".
Hardly emphasizes almost not at all, while barely emphasizes just enough or only a very small amount depending on context.
For example, I could hardly see means I could almost not see, while I could barely see means I could see only with difficulty.
I could hardly see in the fog.
Я почти ничего не видел в тумане.
"Hardly" emphasizes almost not at all.
I could barely see in the fog.
Я едва мог видеть в тумане.
"Barely" emphasizes seeing only with difficulty.
She hardly spoke during the meeting.
Она почти не говорила во время встречи.
"Hardly" means almost not at all.
She barely spoke during the meeting.
Она едва говорила во время встречи.
"Barely" suggests she spoke only very little.
We hardly had time to eat.
У нас почти не было времени поесть.
"Hardly" emphasizes almost no time.
Hardly any can precede plural countable nouns to indicate that almost none of the items or people are present.
For example, Hardly any students arrived on time.
Hardly any students arrived on time.
Почти ни один студент не пришёл вовремя.
"Hardly any" precedes the plural countable noun "students".
Hardly any cars were on the road.
На дороге почти не было машин.
"Hardly any" modifies the plural countable noun "cars".
Hardly any people came to the event.
На мероприятие пришло почти никто.
"Hardly any" modifies the plural countable noun "people".
Hardly any books were left on the shelf.
На полке почти не осталось книг.
"Hardly any" precedes the plural countable noun "books".
Hardly any tickets are available.
Билетов почти нет.
"Hardly any" modifies the plural countable noun "tickets".
Hardly any can precede uncountable nouns to indicate that almost none of the amount remains.
For example, There is hardly any water left.
There is hardly any water left.
Воды почти не осталось.
"Hardly any" precedes the uncountable noun "water".
There is hardly any sugar in the bowl.
В чаше почти нет сахара.
"Hardly any" modifies the uncountable noun "sugar".
There is hardly any time left.
Осталось почти никакого времени.
"Hardly any" precedes the uncountable noun "time".
There is hardly any information available.
Доступно почти никакой информации.
"Hardly any" modifies the uncountable noun "information".
There is hardly any hope of success.
Почти нет надежды на успех.
"Hardly any" precedes the uncountable noun "hope".
Scarcely any can modify both plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.
For example, Scarcely any employees complained and There was scarcely any interest in the proposal.
Scarcely any employees complained.
Почти ни один сотрудник не жаловался.
"Scarcely any" modifies the plural countable noun "employees".
There was scarcely any interest in the proposal.
Было почти никакого интереса к предложению.
"Scarcely any" modifies the uncountable noun "interest".
Scarcely any students passed the exam.
Почти ни один студент не сдал экзамен.
"Scarcely any" precedes the plural countable noun "students".
There was scarcely any evidence.
Было почти никаких доказательств.
"Scarcely any" modifies the uncountable noun "evidence".
Scarcely any cars were on the road.
На дороге почти не было машин.
"Scarcely any" modifies the plural countable noun "cars".
Barely any can modify plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns to indicate an extremely small quantity.
For example, Barely any people noticed and There was barely any evidence.
Barely any people noticed.
Почти никто не заметил.
"Barely any" modifies the plural countable noun "people".
There was barely any evidence.
Было почти никаких доказательств.
"Barely any" modifies the uncountable noun "evidence".
Barely any students came to class.
Почти ни один студент не пришёл на занятие.
"Barely any" precedes the plural countable noun "students".
There was barely any food left.
Еды почти не осталось.
"Barely any" modifies the uncountable noun "food".
Barely any cars were on the road.
На дороге почти не было машин.
"Barely any" modifies the plural countable noun "cars".
Not many indicates a small number of plural countable nouns without necessarily implying the stronger negative force of few.
For example, Not many students attended the lecture.
Not many students attended the lecture.
Не многие студенты посетили лекцию.
"Not many" indicates a small number without the stronger negative force of "few".
Not many people came to the party.
Не многие пришли на вечеринку.
"Not many" modifies the plural countable noun "people".
There are not many options left.
Осталось не много вариантов.
"Not many" precedes the plural countable noun "options".
Not many cars were on the road.
На дороге было не много машин.
"Not many" modifies the plural countable noun "cars".
Not many books were sold.
Было продано не много книг.
"Not many" precedes the plural countable noun "books".
Not much indicates a small amount of an uncountable noun.
For example, There is not much time left.
There is not much time left.
Осталось не много времени.
"Not much" indicates a small amount of the uncountable noun "time".
There is not much water in the bottle.
В бутылке не много воды.
"Not much" modifies the uncountable noun "water".
She has not much interest in the offer.
У неё не много интереса к предложению.
"Not much" precedes the uncountable noun "interest".
There is not much information available.
Доступно не много информации.
"Not much" modifies the uncountable noun "information".
We have not much money left.
У нас осталось не много денег.
"Not much" precedes the uncountable noun "money".
Few and not many can describe a small number, but few generally carries a stronger implication that the number is unexpectedly or disappointingly small.
For example, Few people came can sound more negative than Not many people came.
Few people came.
Мало людей пришло.
"Few" carries a stronger negative implication: the number is disappointingly small.
Not many people came.
Не многие пришли.
"Not many" is a more neutral way to say the number was small.
Few students understood the lesson.
Мало студентов поняли урок.
"Few" emphasizes that almost none understood.
Not many students understood the lesson.
Не многие студенты поняли урок.
"Not many" simply states a small number.
Few tickets were sold.
Мало билетов было продано.
"Few" suggests the number was unexpectedly low.
Little and not much can both indicate a small amount, but little often carries a stronger negative implication.
For example, Little progress was made can sound more negative than Not much progress was made.
Little progress was made.
Было достигнуто мало прогресса.
"Little" often carries a stronger negative implication.
Not much progress was made.
Было достигнуто не много прогресса.
"Not much" is a more neutral statement of a small amount.
There is little hope.
Мало надежды.
"Little" emphasizes almost no hope.
There is not much hope.
Не много надежды.
"Not much" simply states a small amount of hope.
She has little patience.
У неё мало терпения.
"Little" suggests insufficient patience.
Very little emphasizes an extremely small amount of an uncountable noun.
For example, There is very little evidence to support the claim.
There is very little evidence to support the claim.
Очень мало доказательств в поддержку утверждения.
"Very little" emphasizes an extremely small amount of the uncountable noun "evidence".
We have very little time left.
У нас осталось очень мало времени.
"Very little" modifies the uncountable noun "time".
There is very little hope of success.
Очень мало надежды на успех.
"Very little" precedes the uncountable noun "hope".
She has very little interest in sports.
У неё очень мало интереса к спорту.
"Very little" modifies the uncountable noun "interest".
There is very little water in the bottle.
В бутылке очень мало воды.
"Very little" precedes the uncountable noun "water".
Very few emphasizes an extremely small number of plural countable nouns.
For example, Very few applicants met all the requirements.
Very few applicants met all the requirements.
Очень мало кандидатов соответствовали всем требованиям.
"Very few" emphasizes an extremely small number of the plural countable noun "applicants".
Very few students passed the exam.
Очень мало студентов сдали экзамен.
"Very few" modifies the plural countable noun "students".
Very few people came to the meeting.
Очень мало людей пришло на встречу.
"Very few" precedes the plural countable noun "people".
Very few cars were on the road.
На дороге было очень мало машин.
"Very few" modifies the plural countable noun "cars".
Very few books were sold.
Было продано очень мало книг.
"Very few" precedes the plural countable noun "books".
So few modifies plural countable nouns, while so little modifies uncountable nouns, often emphasizing unexpectedly small quantity.
For example, There were so few seats that several people had to stand and We had so little time that we had to hurry.
There were so few seats that several people had to stand.
Было так мало мест, что нескольким людям пришлось стоять.
"So few" modifies the plural countable noun "seats" and emphasizes an unexpectedly small number.
We had so little time that we had to hurry.
У нас было так мало времени, что нам пришлось спешить.
"So little" modifies the uncountable noun "time" and emphasizes an unexpectedly small amount.
So few students attended that the class was cancelled.
Так мало студентов пришло, что занятие отменили.
"So few" precedes the plural countable noun "students".
There was so little food that everyone remained hungry.
Было так мало еды, что все остались голодными.
"So little" modifies the uncountable noun "food".
So few tickets were sold that the concert was cancelled.
Было продано так мало билетов, что концерт отменили.
"So few" modifies the plural countable noun "tickets".
Too few and too little indicate an amount or number that is insufficient for a particular purpose.
For example, There are too few chairs and We have too little time.
There are too few chairs for everyone.
Слишком мало стульев для всех.
"Too few" modifies the plural countable noun "chairs" and indicates insufficiency.
We have too little time to finish.
У нас слишком мало времени, чтобы закончить.
"Too little" modifies the uncountable noun "time" and indicates insufficiency.
There are too few tickets left.
Осталось слишком мало билетов.
"Too few" precedes the plural countable noun "tickets".
There is too little food for everyone.
Слишком мало еды для всех.
"Too little" modifies the uncountable noun "food".
Too few students passed the exam.
Слишком мало студентов сдали экзамен.
"Too few" modifies the plural countable noun "students".
Enough can contrast with few and little by expressing a sufficient quantity or number.
For example, We have enough chairs contrasts with We have too few chairs.
We have enough chairs.
У нас достаточно стульев.
"Enough" expresses a sufficient quantity and contrasts with "too few chairs".
We have too few chairs.
У нас слишком мало стульев.
"Too few" indicates an insufficient number.
We have enough time.
У нас достаточно времени.
"Enough" modifies the uncountable noun "time" and expresses sufficiency.
We have too little time.
У нас слишком мало времени.
"Too little" indicates an insufficient amount.
There are enough books for everyone.
Книг достаточно для всех.
"Enough" precedes the plural countable noun "books".
Little can function as a quantifier before an uncountable noun or as an adjective in certain formal expressions.
For example, There is little evidence and It was a little-used method illustrate different grammatical uses.
There is little evidence to support the claim.
Есть мало доказательств в поддержку утверждения.
"Little" is a quantifier before the uncountable noun "evidence".
It was a little-used method.
Это был малоиспользуемый метод.
"Little" functions as an adjective modifying the participle "used".
There is little hope of success.
Мало надежды на успех.
"Little" is a quantifier before the uncountable noun "hope".
This is a little-known fact.
Это малоизвестный факт.
"Little" is an adjective modifying the participle "known".
There is little time for delay.
Мало времени для задержки.
"Little" is a quantifier before the uncountable noun "time".
Few normally occurs before plural countable nouns and does not require an article.
For example, Few people know the answer.
Few people know the answer.
Мало людей знают ответ.
"Few" occurs before the plural countable noun "people".
Few students passed the test.
Мало студентов сдали тест.
"Few" is a determiner before the plural countable noun "students".
Few cars were on the road.
Мало машин было на дороге.
"Few" precedes the plural countable noun "cars".
Few books were sold.
Мало книг было продано.
"Few" is a determiner before the plural countable noun "books".
Few opportunities like this exist.
Мало таких возможностей существует.
"Few" modifies the plural countable noun "opportunities".
A few occurs before plural countable nouns and indicates a small but definite number.
For example, A few people stayed after the meeting.
A few people stayed after the meeting.
Несколько человек остались после встречи.
"A few" occurs before the plural countable noun "people".
A few students asked questions.
Несколько студентов задали вопросы.
"A few" is a determiner before the plural countable noun "students".
A few cars were parked outside.
Несколько машин было припарковано снаружи.
"A few" precedes the plural countable noun "cars".
A few books were on the shelf.
На полке было несколько книг.
"A few" modifies the plural countable noun "books".
A few friends came to visit.
Несколько друзей пришли в гости.
"A few" is a determiner before the plural countable noun "friends".
Few of and a few of occur before determiner phrases such as the, these, my, or them.
For example, Few of the students passed and A few of my friends live nearby.
Few of the students passed the exam.
Мало кто из студентов сдал экзамен.
"Few of" occurs before the determiner phrase "the students".
A few of my friends live nearby.
Несколько моих друзей живут поблизости.
"A few of" occurs before the determiner phrase "my friends".
Few of these books are useful.
Мало какие из этих книг полезны.
"Few of" precedes the determiner phrase "these books".
A few of them agreed.
Несколько из них согласились.
"A few of" occurs before the pronoun "them".
Few of the cars were damaged.
Мало какие из машин были повреждены.
"Few of" precedes the determiner phrase "the cars".
Little of and a little of can occur before specific noun phrases, especially those introduced by determiners.
For example, Little of the information was useful and A little of the money was spent.
Little of the information was useful.
Мало какая из информации была полезной.
"Little of" occurs before the determiner phrase "the information".
A little of the money was spent.
Немного денег было потрачено.
"A little of" occurs before the determiner phrase "the money".
Little of the food was eaten.
Мало какая из еды была съедена.
"Little of" precedes the determiner phrase "the food".
A little of the cake was left.
Немного торта осталось.
"A little of" occurs before the determiner phrase "the cake".
Little of the advice was helpful.
Мало какой из советов был полезным.
"Little of" precedes the determiner phrase "the advice".
Hardly any means almost none, while no means none at all.
For example, There was hardly any food means a tiny amount remained, while There was no food means none remained.
There was hardly any food.
Еды почти не было.
"Hardly any" means a tiny amount remained.
There was no food.
Еды не было.
"No" means none at all remained.
Hardly any students came.
Почти ни один студент не пришёл.
"Hardly any" means almost none came.
No students came.
Ни один студент не пришёл.
"No" means none came at all.
There is hardly any time left.
Осталось почти никакого времени.
"Hardly any" means almost no time remains.
Verb agreement depends on the noun phrase controlled by the quantifier.
For example, Few students are ready, Little information is available, and A little money is needed.
Few students are ready.
Мало студентов готовы.
The plural verb "are" agrees with the plural noun "students".
Little information is available.
Доступно мало информации.
The singular verb "is" agrees with the uncountable noun "information".
A little money is needed.
Нужно немного денег.
The singular verb "is" agrees with the uncountable noun "money".
A few books are on the table.
На столе несколько книг.
The plural verb "are" agrees with the plural noun "books".
Hardly any water is left.
Воды почти не осталось.
The singular verb "is" agrees with the uncountable noun "water".
Negative quantifiers can express negative meaning without requiring an additional not.
For example, Few students attended and Little information was available.
Few students attended.
Мало студентов пришло.
"Few" expresses negative meaning without requiring an additional "not".
Little information was available.
Доступно мало информации.
"Little" provides the negative meaning without "not".
Hardly any students came.
Почти ни один студент не пришёл.
"Hardly any" already carries negative meaning.
Scarcely any evidence was found.
Было найдено почти никаких доказательств.
"Scarcely any" expresses negation lexically.
There is little hope.
Мало надежды.
"Little" makes the clause negative without "not".
Negative quantifiers can occur in questions to ask about a small quantity or number, often expecting a low value.
For example, Are there few applicants? and Is there little evidence?
Are there few applicants?
Мало ли кандидатов?
"Few" in a question asks about a small number, often expecting a low value.
Is there little evidence?
Мало ли доказательств?
"Little" in a question asks about a small amount.
Are there hardly any tickets left?
Осталось ли почти никаких билетов?
"Hardly any" in a question asks about an almost nonexistent quantity.
Is there scarcely any time?
Есть ли почти никакого времени?
"Scarcely any" in a question asks about a very small amount.
Are there few options?
Мало ли вариантов?
"Few" in a question asks about a small number of options.
Few, little, fewer, and less participate in comparative quantity structures.
For example, There are fewer people here and We have less time than before.
There are fewer people here than yesterday.
Здесь меньше людей, чем вчера.
"Fewer" is the comparative form of "few" and is used with plural countable nouns.
We have less time than before.
У нас меньше времени, чем раньше.
"Less" is the comparative form of "little" and is used with uncountable nouns.
There are fewer cars on the road today.
Сегодня на дороге меньше машин.
"Fewer" modifies the plural countable noun "cars".
There is less water in the bottle.
В бутылке меньше воды.
"Less" modifies the uncountable noun "water".
Fewer students passed this year.
В этом году сдало меньше студентов.
"Fewer" precedes the plural countable noun "students".
Few and fewer are associated with countable nouns, while little and less are associated with uncountable nouns in standard usage.
For example, fewer mistakes but less information.
Few mistakes were made.
Было сделано мало ошибок.
"Few" modifies the plural countable noun "mistakes".
Fewer mistakes were made this time.
На этот раз было сделано меньше ошибок.
"Fewer" is the comparative form used with plural countable nouns.
Little information was provided.
Было предоставлено мало информации.
"Little" modifies the uncountable noun "information".
Less information was provided than expected.
Было предоставлено меньше информации, чем ожидалось.
"Less" is the comparative form used with uncountable nouns.
There are fewer books on the shelf.
На полке меньше книг.
"Fewer" is used with the plural countable noun "books".
Choose negative quantifiers according to countability, quantity, degree of negativity, and whether the amount is small or insufficient.
Common mistakes include using little with plural count nouns, using few with uncountable nouns, confusing a little with little, confusing a few with few, and treating hardly any as exactly the same as no.
There is little information.
Есть мало информации.
Correct: "little" is used with the uncountable noun "information".
There are few books.
Есть мало книг.
Correct: "few" is used with the plural countable noun "books".
We have a little time.
У нас есть немного времени.
Correct: "a little" means a small but sufficient amount.
We have few time.
У нас мало времени.
Incorrect: "few" cannot be used with the uncountable noun "time"; use "little".
There is hardly any food.
Еды почти нет.
Correct: "hardly any" means almost none, not exactly none.